Minneapolis police investigating 4 suspended Gophers players

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Minneapolis police say they are working to determine whether the four University of Minnesota football players who were recently suspended from the team are involved in sexual assault case.

Gophers football coach Tracy Claeys suspended the players ahead of last Saturday’s game against Indiana State University for what he described as a violation of team rules. The players were suspended from all team activities, including games. University officials chose not to comment on either the length of suspension or the nature of the alleged infractions.

“We are going to deal with it day by day,” Claeys said at a press conference after the game on Saturday.

On Monday, Fox 9 confirmed the Minneapolis Police Department is working to determine if and how the four players may be involved in a criminal sexual assault allegation.

The report was filed by a 22-year-old woman on Sept. 3. The names of all suspects, victims, witnesses and locations were redacted in the public police report, which is standard practice in cases involving sensitive allegations.

The only available information in the public police report said the “victim reported being sexually assaulted,” and that she "sought medical attention prior to making report."

Whether the players are witnesses, potential suspects or somehow connected in another capacity remains under investigation.