NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell re-issued suspensions today to the Saints players accused in the pay-for-performance scandal, reinstating penalties that were put on hold when a judge ruled in favor of the appeal and put the matter back into Goodell’s hands with additional guidance. All four players that were originally suspended received new suspensions, although there were reductions in the cases of Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita and a clarification of the guidelines applying to Vilma and Hargrove.
Jonathan Vilma’s original suspension of 16 games was re-issued for 16 games; however, ESPN is reporting that the terms of the suspension allow Vilma to retain the six game checks for the six weeks he has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list so far this season. Will Smith’s 4 game suspension remains at 4 games.
Anthony Hargrove initially had received an 8 game suspension, but that was reduced by one game to 7 games in the re-issued penalties and Hargrove, who is currently a free agent, will count as having served five of his suspended games so far this season, meaning if he signs with a team, he only has to sit out an additional two games.
Scott Fujita’s suspension was reduced from 3 games to a single game.
The players have 72 hours to appeal the re-issued suspensions.
The NFLPA issued the following statement in response to Goodell’s re-issued suspensions today:
For more than six months, the NFL has ignored the facts, abused the process outlined in our collective bargaining agreement and failed to produce evidence that the players intended to injure anyone, ever. The only evidence that exists is the League’s gross violation of fair due process, transparency and impartiality during this process. Truth and fairness have been the casualties of the league’s refusal to admit that it might have made a mistake.
We will review this decision thoroughly and review all options to protect our players’ rights with vigilance.
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