Thursday 7 May 2015 08:08, UK
The investigation into the NFL's 'Deflate Gate' scandal has found it was 'more probable than not' that New England Patriots personnel intentionally deflated footballs before their AFC Championship win over the Indianapolis Colts.
An independent report commissioned by the league faulted two Patriots employees - locker room attendant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski - for a probable effort to let air out of game balls before January's match.
Implications against quarterback Tom Brady were somewhat lower, but the report said he was 'generally aware of the inappropriate activities.'
The report was compiled by prominent lawyer Ted Wells and ran to more than 240 pages, with the conclusion reading: "Based on the evidence developed in connection with the investigation and summarized in this Report, we have concluded that it is more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the NFL Playing Rules and were involved in a deliberate attempt to circumvent those rules."
New England beat the Colts to claim the AFC title and went on to beat the Seattle Seahawks two weeks later to win Super Bowl XLIX.
Under-inflated footballs are said to be easier to throw and catch, especially in poor weather, and it was raining heavily during parts of the AFC title game.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft admitted he was disappointed with Wells' findings, while the NFL is considering what punishment, if any, to levy against the franchise.
"To say we are disappointed in its findings, which do not include any incontrovertible or hard evidence of deliberate deflation of footballs at the AFC Championship game, would be a gross understatement," Kraft said in a statement.
Wells' report also revealed Brady's evidence not to be 100 per cent believable. He denied all wrongdoing and claimed not to even know McNally's name before the game. The report said: "We found these claims not plausible and contradicted by other evidence."
"Based on the evidence, we also have concluded that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls," read a further extract.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was pleased with the findings, as Kraft had been highly critical of his decision to launch an enquiry and was demanding an apology from the league if their innocence had been proven.
Goodell said in a statement: "I want to express my appreciation to Ted Wells and his colleagues for performing a thorough and independent investigation, the findings and conclusions of which are set forth in today’s comprehensive report.
"As with other recent matters involving violations of competitive rules, Troy Vincent and his team will consider what steps to take in light of the report, both with respect to possible disciplinary action and to any changes in protocols that are necessary to avoid future incidents of this type.
"At the same time, we will continue our efforts vigorously to protect the integrity of the game and promote fair play at all times."
