NFL: Players Association appeal indefinite suspension of running back Ray Rice

The NFL Players Association have confirmed they will appeal the indefinite suspension of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.

Rice was released by the Ravens and banned by the NFL after video of him punching his fiancee (now wife) Janay Palmer came into the public domain.

Rice had already been suspended for two games under the NFL's personal conduct policy for his role in the incident, which happened in February.

The new sanction was announced on September 8 by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell based on “new evidence”. Goodell and the Ravens say they had not seen the video before that date.

But in the statement announcing their appeal, the players’ union said that  “under governing labour law, an employee cannot be punished twice for the same action when all of the relevant facts were available to the employer at the time of the first punishment”.

The statement also said: “Today, the NFL Players Association formally filed an appeal of the indefinite suspension of Ray Rice by the NFL. This action taken by our union is to protect the due process rights of all NFL players.

“The NFLPA appeal is based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role of the office of the Commissioner of the NFL.

“We have asked that a neutral and jointly selected arbitrator hear this case as the Commissioner and his staff will be essential witnesses in the proceeding and thus cannot serve as impartial arbitrators.”