MX23RW : Thursday, June 13 04:07:18| >> :600:13164204:13164204:

NFL: 'New England Patriots' prior record reason behind heavy sanctions'

The NFL claims that the past record of the New England Patriots in matters of discipline was one of the reasons behind their severe punishment for the deflategate scandal.

The NFL has declared that the New England Patriots' past misdemeanours was one of the reasons behind their heavy sanctions for the deflategate scandal.

The Patriots were docked their first-round pick in the 2016 Draft and their fourth-round selection in the 2017 Draft along with a $1m (£631,000) fine for their part in the scandal.

Quarterback Tom Brady has been banned for four games by the league for being generally aware that members of the equipment staff had deflated balls in their AFC championship win over the Indianapolis Colts.

The NFL has pointed to the spygate scandal in 2007 - when the AFC East side were caught illegally videotaping the defensive signals of an opponent which resulted in the loss of their first-round pick in the 2008 Draft and a $500,000 fine (£321,000) – as the reason for the severity of the punishment.

The league said in a statement: "There are several factors that merit strong consideration in assessing discipline.

"The first is the club's prior record. In 2007 the club and several individuals were sanctioned for videotaping signals of opposing defensive coaches in violation of the constitution and bylaws. Under the integrity of the game policy, this prior violation of competitive rules was properly considered in determining the discipline in this case."

Brady's agent has revealed that the player will appeal his ban, while the Patriots are yet to respond to the sanctions.

ID:222337: cacheID:222337:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2710:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Tom Brady in action for New England Patriots on February 1, 2015
Read Next:
Brady banned for four matches
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, June 14
 
8pm
Saturday, June 15
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 16
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Monday, June 17
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 18
 
5pm
Wednesday, June 19
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Thursday, June 20
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Group Stage
Spain
vs.
Italy
Friday, June 21
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 22
 
5pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 23
 
8pm
 
8pm
Monday, June 24
 
8pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 25
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Wednesday, June 26
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 29
Sunday, June 30
Monday, July 1
Tuesday, July 2
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!