Some unexpected news out of Riderville on Monday as the team announced that they have released veteran running back Jerome Messam.

Messam has been released due to a criminal charge stemming from an incident in November of 2016.

In the release, the Riders also stated, "As this is now a legal matter the Roughriders will not be commenting further."

The Canadian Football League has also released a statement, which sheds a bit more light on the charge against Messam:

"The Canadian Football League is aware that Jerome Messam has been charged with Voyeurism, a Criminal Code offence. He has been released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Commissioner Randy Ambrosie has informed all member clubs that the league will not register a contract for Messam should any team attempt to sign him. We will have no further comment on this matter as it is before the courts."

According to the Criminal Code, Voyeurism is a charge of recording someone in circumstances that they would expect a reasonable level of privacy, such as during a sexual activity. It can carry a prison term of up to five years.

The Riders are on the field for practice at Mosaic Stadium on Monday following Saturday’s 34-22 loss to the Calgary Stampeders.

Messam finished with five carries for 25 yards in the loss.

The 33-year-old was a member of a Stampeders at the time of the incident, winning the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award.

The Riders signed Messam for a second time in February.