CFL suspends Riders receiver Ajou over alleged harassment of multiple women

TORONTO — The CFL suspended Canadian receiver Ajou Ajou for the 2026 pre-season and at least six regular-season games for violating its gender-based violence and harassment policy, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders said Thursday he is no longer with the club.

The league said a third-party investigation found that on Nov. 18, 2025 — the same day as the Riders’ Grey Cup parade — Ajou engaged in aggressive and unwelcome physical contact with multiple women at a restaurant in Regina, conduct that breaches the league’s gender-based violence and harassment policy.

The CFL said it was made aware of allegations in late January.

“The Saskatchewan Roughriders do not tolerate gender-based violence or harassment, and Ajou Ajou’s actions go directly against the values we hold as an organization,” Jeremy O’Day, Saskatchewan’s vice-president of football operations/GM, said in a statement. “We hold our players to a high standard, one that focuses on integrity and treating people with respect.

“He failed to meet that standard and is no longer a Roughrider.”

The CFL said no criminal charges are pending against Ajou, and Regina police said Thursday they received no reports related to the matter.

Ajou spent last season with the Roughriders, registering 22 catches for 212 yards in eight regular-season games. He was with the CFL club when it defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 to capture the Grey Cup, registering two catches for 13 yards.

Ajou rejoined the Riders after being released by the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 26.

The six-foot-three, 218-pound Ajou, 24, of Brooks, Alta., becomes the second player suspended by the league for violating the policy.

In 2024, Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly was suspended for the entire pre-season and at least half of the club’s regular-season contests. The move came after a lawsuit and independent investigation into harassment allegations involving the league’s 2023 outstanding player.

Kelly was reinstated in August 2024 by the league on a last-chance agreement after undergoing mandatory counselling and meeting with then commissioner Randy Ambrosie.

The CFL said Ajou’s reinstatement process will consist of three parts. He’ll undergo at least 15 mandatory counselling sessions conducted by a gender-based violence expert, as well as a psychological assessment by another independent expert.

The final requirement will be to meet with league commissioner Stewart Johnston. Upon satisfactory completion of all three steps, Ajou will be eligible for reinstatement, although the league also said it reserves the right to modify the discipline.

“Protecting the safety and well-being of our communities is non-negotiable,” said Johnston. “Our players are expected to lead with integrity and serve as role models.

“When improper conduct occurs, our policy is clear, and we will enforce it without exception. It is my hope that Mr. Ajou learns from this experience, and that other players take this unfortunate situation as a reminder of the standards we uphold.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2026.