Blue Bombers: Winnipeg releases receiver after sexual assault allegation
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers launched veteran receiver Jalen Saunders earlier this week after investigating an allegation of sexual assault in opposition to him.
The CFL group let Saunders go Wednesday.
The transfer got here amid reviews a 22-year-old girl has filed a proper grievance alleging Saunders pressed to enter her residence and pressured her for intercourse earlier than assaulting her regardless of repeated pleas for him to cease.
“On Tuesday, Might 24, 2022, the WFC was made conscious, by way of social media, of an alleged sexual assault involving certainly one of our gamers, Jalen Saunders,” the Bombers mentioned in an announcement. “Instantly, our membership suggested the person who got here ahead to inform the Winnipeg Police. On the identical time, we started our inside evaluation of the off-field incident, following the CFL coverage of Violence in opposition to Girls.
“After our inside evaluation, this participant was instantly launched from the roster by our group. The Winnipeg Soccer Membership takes violence in opposition to ladies and sexual assault severely, and thanks the people for coming ahead on this.”
Winnipeg signed Saunders in April. He final performed within the CFL in 2018, registering 45 catches for 739 yards and two touchdowns in 9 video games with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats earlier than struggling a season-ending knee harm.
Saunders signed with Ottawa in 2020 earlier than the CFL cancelled the season as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. He by no means obtained on the sector in 2021 after being concerned in a critical automotive accident.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Might 27, 2022.
