Blue Bombers drop receiver Jalen Saunders after sexual assault allegation

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released receiver Jalen Saunders due to an allegation of sexual assault.

A spokesperson for the CFL football club said the team was made aware, via social media, of the allegation on Tuesday. The following day, the Bombers issued a one-line news release saying the team had released the 29-year-old CFL veteran.

On Friday, Darren Cameron, the Bombers' senior director of public and player relations, confirmed the reason for Saunders' release to CBC News.

"Our club advised the individual who came forward to notify the Winnipeg police. At the same time, we began our internal review of the off-field incident, following the CFL policy of violence against women," he said in an email.

"After our internal review, this player was immediately released from the roster by our organization. The Winnipeg Football Club takes violence against women and sexual assault seriously, and thanks the individuals for coming forward on this."

No other details about the allegation, or the person who came forward, were included in the statement.

CBC News has reached out to Saunders for comment.

Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson Const. Jay Murray said members of the media have asked about the allegation against Saunders, but he cannot comment for privacy reasons.

However, the Winnipeg Free Press reported that it provided police with an incident-report number provided by the complainant, and Murray confirmed it has to do with a sexual assault.

"We also disclosed the Winnipeg Police Service has not charged anyone by the name of Jalen Saunders at this time," he wrote in an email to CBC News.

The off-season signing of 29-year-old Saunders last month was lauded as a key move for a Bomber offence that has lost all-star