NFLPA criticises NFL bounty appeals rejection, hints at putting up legal fight – NFL News
The National Football League (NFL) Players Association (NFLPA) has hinted at going into litigation against rejection of the appeals of suspended players on the charges of contributing to the illegal bounty programme by the NFL office.
The NFL in his recent ruling has upheld suspensions of its players, who have been handed down bans of differing tenures, saying the affected parties were unable to provide any substantial evidence against the penalty.
Following the announcement of the latest verdict by the NFL led by its commissioner, Roger Goodell, the NFLPA has issued a formal statement, saying the body will pursue all options, including taking a legal action against the league’s
ruling.
It said:
"The players are disappointed with the league's conduct during this process. We reiterate our concerns about the lack of fair due process, lack of integrity of the investigation and lack of the jurisdictional authority to impose discipline
under the collective bargaining agreement."
According to the league office, its investigations have shown that New Orleans Saints players contributed to the covert programme and therefore should serve the ban.
The suspended players include linebacker, Scott Fujita, who is accused of making financial contributions to the bounty fund. Scott, who is also on the executive committee of the NFLPA, is due to serve a three-game ban of his share of the
punishment.
About the latest decision of the NFL, Fujita said he is not surprised by NFL’s commissioner’s announcement.
He, however, says he is still hopeful of "a process that leads to a fair resolution and gets whole truth on the table."
Interestingly, the LB who is the most-heard voice against the NFL and particularly the commissioner, has not said anything about the Association’s choice of going into legal fight against the league.
Also, the NFLPA has not detailed out other available options to them, apart from the choice of lawsuit.
Another view is that the organisation is even least likely to drag itself and players into the legal wrangling, while the matter on the other hand can be settled down after the players serve their respective bans.
One important matter here is the issue of prestige and credibility. Allowing the NFL go unchallenged on the issue will mean the players and their representatives have bought into the league’s side of the story or truth. The players like
Fujita will least consider this option, and will pursue legal fight, instead.
Tags: