The New England Patriots have revealed that they "cannot comprehend" the decision of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to uphold the four-game suspension of Tom Brady.
The 37-year-old will now miss the opening four matches of the 2015 season after Goodell revealed that the quarterback destroyed his mobile phone before testifying in the deflategate scandal and provided no evidence to contradict the findings of the report into the incident by Ted Wells in his appeal.
The NFLPA will take the matter to federal court due to its displeasure with the actions of the league, while the Patriots feel that the NFL are trying to "destroy" the reputation of the four-time Super Bowl champion.
The club said in a statement: "We are extremely disappointed in today's ruling by commissioner Goodell. We cannot comprehend the league's position in this matter.
"Most would agree that the penalties levied originally were excessive and unprecedented, especially in light of the fact that the league has no hard evidence of wrongdoing.
"We continue to unequivocally believe in and support Tom Brady. We also believe that the laws of science continue to underscore the folly of this entire ordeal. Given all of this, it is incomprehensible as to why the league is attempting to destroy the reputation of one of its greatest players and representatives."
The Patriots were docked their first-round pick in the 2016 Draft and a fourth-round selection in 2017 along with a $1m (£640,000) fine for their part in the deflategate scandal.
Simon Sinclair
