The Baltimore Ravens knew the full details of former running back Ray Rice's assault on his wife hours after the incident took place, according to a report.
Video evidence emerged last week of the 27-year-old striking his then-fiancee in the lift of an Atlantic City hotel in February, which culminated his arrest at the time.
Once the footage was released, the Ravens cut Rice and he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL, despite only being given an initial two-game ban by the league.
However, it is now claimed by ESPN that the Ravens director of security Darren Sanders received a detailed report about the incident from an Atlantic City policeman.
Sanders then relayed the information to the team's front office and, following the release of CCTV from outside the lift, head coach John Harbaugh wanted to release Rice immediately.
Other members of the team's hierarchy, including general manager Ozzie Newsome and owner Steve Bisciotti, determined that Rice should stay on the roster.
It is alleged that they lobbied for leniency from the NFL and the authorities, which resulted in the initial two-game ban and placement in an intervention program, rather than formal charges.
Ravens president Dick Cass also reportedly never requested to see the CCTV from inside the lift that was released by TMZ last week, even though it was in possession of Rice's attorney.
An earlier report also insinuated that the NFL had a copy of the assault footage in their possession, three months before the footage was put online.
Simon Sinclair
