Riders fire Ajou Ajou after CFL says he made ‘aggressive and unwelcome physical contact’ with women

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have kicked receiver Ajou Ajou off the team after a league investigation concluded he violated the CFL’s gender-based violence and harassment policy.

In a statement on its website, the league said an investigation revealed that on Nov. 18, 2025, Ajou “engaged in aggressive and unwelcome physical contact with multiple women at a restaurant in Regina.”

That was the day of the Riders’ Grey Cup championship parade.

The league said it was made aware of multiple allegations in late January and immediately initiated a third-party investigation, which it said included interviews with Ajou, multiple witnesses and complainants.

The CFL said Ajou has been suspended for 2026’s preseason games “and no fewer than six additional games.”

WATCH | Roughriders fire Ajou Ajou because of his ‘aggressive’ behaviour toward women:

Roughriders fire Ajou Ajou because of his ‘aggressive’ behaviour toward women

The CFL says receiver Ajou Ajou was aggressive and engaged in unwelcome contact with multiple women at a restaurant in Regina on the same day the Saskatchewan Roughriders celebrated their Grey Cup win with a parade. Roughriders general manager Jeremy O’Day spoke with reporters on April 16, 2026.

“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,” Roughriders Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day 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.”

In an online video call with reporters Thursday morning, O’Day said the allegations were made to the team, which then “immediately reached out to the CFL league offices.”

O’Day confirmed the Riders’ players were celebrating a championship on the day in question and said the “large majority” of them understand how to handle themselves in the community.

“Our whole team was probably out that night,” O’Day said. “Difficult challenge with the combination of celebrating a Grey Cup, but it doesn’t change what our expectations are.”

O’Day said it’s very unfortunate that it happened at all.

“We’re trying to develop a culture that people feel safe in, that people feel respected,” he said. “A family atmosphere.

“This clearly is not what we’re trying to accomplish.”

The CFL said Ajou’s reinstatement process will include a minimum of 15 mandatory counselling sessions conducted by a gender-based violence expert, a psychological assessment by another independent expert and a meeting with league commissioner Stewart Johnston.

It said upon satisfactory completion of each, he will be eligible for reinstatement. But if he is unable to satisfactorily complete any step in the process, the CFL said it reserves the right to modify his discipline.

When asked in the media call if Ajou could one day return if he was reinstated by the CFL, O’Day said “not with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.”

He said he has spoken with Ajou.

“It’s a difficult conversation, to be honest. It’s just not something you look forward to having with him,” O’Day said. “And it was just, to be honest, just a sad conversation.

“But really, just trying to give him the information, talk it through with him a little bit, and make him aware of the situation, and obviously letting him know that we were going to release him today.”

O’Day said he hopes this never happens again.

“Hopefully, it makes people think about the decisions they make and understand that it’s important to be in control of yourself all the time and treat people with respect.”

According to the league, CFL players, coaches, staff and personnel are required to complete education on gender‑based violence and harassment every year, as well as training on match manipulation, concussion protocols, player code of conduct and the league’s drug policy.

CBC News asked Regina police if they had received complaints about Ajou. In response, the police service said it had not received any reports.