MINNEAPOLIS — After a student said she was sexually assaulted by four University of Minnesota football players last month, the police and prosecutors investigated but declined to bring charges. The athletes were allowed to resume playing.

Yet they and two other players have missed one game, and five of them may miss more because of a restraining order issued by a court that prohibits the players from being near not only the student’s apartment but also her place of employment — the football stadium where the team plays its home games.

The decision to issue the order represents an unusual step from an accuser in the national debate over sexual assault accusations on campus and how they are handled.

The order, issued last week, applies to five players, all of whom sat out Minnesota’s 34-32 victory over Rutgers on Saturday.