Roughriders' Jones fined for tampering with Johnny Manziel

Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager and head coach Chris Jones has been fined $5,000 by the CFL for tampering with former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Jones is alleged to have met with Manziel's publicist, even though the 24-year-old is on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' exclusive negotiations list.

"The Saskatchewan Roughriders have been notified of the league's decision and accept their disciplinary action," Jones announced Friday in a statement. "We have been forthcoming with the CFL office on any information they have requested. We look forward to moving on and continuing to prepare for the 2017 season."

It's Jones' third significant rules violation since he inherited the Roughriders. The club was also fined $31,500 for its players attending practice while on the CFL suspension list and the team's illegal recruitment of a junior player.

The CFL said there's no evidence Saskatchewan held any workouts with the artist known as "Johnny Football."

Manziel has been out of professional football since March 2016, when he was released by the Cleveland Browns amid countless off-field incidents. The Texas A&M product and former first-round pick has since expressed a commitment to changing his life around, and a desire to resume his football career.

The ex-Heisman Trophy winner threw for 1,675 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in parts of 15 games over two seasons with the Browns.