Four members of the Minnesota football team were officially dismissed Wednesday by coach Tim Brewster.

Junior defensive back Dominic Jones, sophomore defensive back Keith Massey, junior defensive end Alex Daniels and sophomore running back E.J. Jones were released by the Gophers football team. The four are linked to the investigation of a sexual assault case.

Dominic Jones was charged with third-degree sexual assault Monday, while Massey, Daniels and E.J. Jones were arrested and released in April. The three are still considered suspects, according to authorities near to the case.

“It is an honor and a privilege to wear the uniform of the University of Minnesota, and we have exceedingly high expectations for each of our student-athletes,” Brewster said. “We are establishing a culture of integrity and we will demand that our players are held accountable for their actions.”

Brewster said the team spends a considerable amount of time addressing the players about personal conduct, and the team will not compromise its values.

According to the team news release, the dismissal of the four players does not affect their scholarship status. However, that status is subject for review by University and NCAA policies.

Athletic director Joel Maturi fully supported the decision by his first-year coach.

“I am in full support of the decision of coach Brewster,” Maturi said. “While this issue is deeply disappointing, the Athletics Department is sending a clear and unmistakable message that it will never compromise its code of conduct.”

Maturi said the athletic department has a level of expectation both on and off the field that it communicates to its student-athletes.

“In the end, individuals decide right and wrong for themselves and then live with the consequences,” Maturi said. “Unfortunately, these consequences also touch the lives of many other people.”