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sports Diaranson 3 augustus 2022

NFL suspends Dolphins owner for tampering with Brady, Payton

(AP) – The NFL has sus- Dolphins vice chairman/ Monday after the Cleveland
pended Miami Dolphins limited partner Bruce Beal Browns quarterback was ac-
owner Stephen Ross and conducted "these numerous cused by two dozen women
fined him $1.5 million and detailed discussions" and in Texas of sexual misconduct
for tampering with Tom kept Ross and other team ex- during massage treatments.
Brady and Sean Payton ecutives informed of his con- The NFL is mulling whether
following a six-month versations with Brady. to appeal that decision.
investigation stemming
from Brian Flores' racial The Dolphins again had Ross may not be present at
discrimination lawsuit impermissible communica- the team's facility and may
against the league. tions with both Brady and his not represent the club at any
agent, Yee, no later than early team or NFL event during his
The league's investigation December 2021 and after the suspension. He also may not
found the Dolphins did not season, while he was under attend any league meeting
intentionally lose games contract to the Tampa Bay before the annual meeting
during the 2019 season but Buccaneers. in 2023, and he is removed tion," Goodell said. "Even if
the team had impermissible Those discussions focused from all league committees "I am thankful that the NFL's made in jest and not intended
communication with Brady on Brady becoming a limited indefinitely. investigator found my factual to be taken seriously, com-
and his and Payton's agent, partner in the Dolphins and allegations against Stephen ments suggesting that draft
Don Yee. The league an- possibly serving as a football Beal was fined $500,000 and Ross are true," Flores said position is more important
nounced the findings of the executive, although at times may not attend any league in a statement. "At the same than winning can be misun-
investigation on Tuesday. they also included the pos- meeting for the remainder of time, I am disappointed to derstood and carry with them
sibility he would play for the the year. learn that the investigator an unnecessary potential risk
The Dolphins will forfeit a Dolphins. The league says Regarding Flores' allegations minimized Mr. Ross's offers to the integrity of the game.
first-round selection in the Ross and Beal participated in the Dolphins wanted him to and pressure to tank games The comments made by Mr.
2023 NFL draft and a third- these discussions. "tank" games to secure the especially when I wrote and Ross did not affect Coach
round selection in the 2024 top draft pick, investigators submitted a letter at the time Flores' commitment to win
draft. Ross is suspended Brady briefly retired in Feb- said the team didn't inten- to Dolphins executives docu- and the Dolphins competed
through Oct. 17. ruary before the seven-time tionally lose and neither Ross menting my serious concerns to win every game. Coach
"The investigators found Super Bowl champion chose nor anyone from the team regarding this subject at the Flores is to be commended
tampering violations of un- to return for another season instructed Flores to lose on time which the investigator for not allowing any com-
precedented scope and se- with the Buccaneers. purpose. has in her possession. ment about the relative im-
verity," NFL Commissioner portance of draft position to
Roger Goodell said in a state- The third tampering viola- However, investigators found "While the investigator found affect his commitment to win
ment. "I know of no prior tion involved Payton. In Jan- Ross expressed several times that the Dolphins had en- throughout the season."
instance of a team violating uary, the Dolphins had im- during the season his belief gaged in impermissible tam-
the prohibition on tampering permissible communications that draft position should pering of 'unprecedented Ross issued a statement,
with both a head coach and with Yee about having Payton take priority over won-loss scope and severity,' Mr. Ross claiming the league cleared
star player, to the potential serve as Miami's head coach. record. Flores considered the will avoid any meaningful the team of tanking and call-
detriment of multiple other The Dolphins did not seek comments a suggestion that consequence. There is noth- ing Flores' allegations "false,
clubs, over a period of sev- consent from New Orleans he lose games and expressed ing more important when it malicious and defamatory."
eral years. Similarly, I know to have these discussions, his concerns in writing to se- comes to the game of football "I strongly disagree with the
of no prior instance in which which occurred before Pay- nior club executives. Ross no itself than the integrity of the conclusions and the punish-
ownership was so directly in- ton announced his decision longer made any such com- game. When the integrity of ment," Ross said of the tam-
volved in the violations." to retire from the Saints. Mi- ments to Flores. the game is called into ques- pering conclusion. "Howev-
ami requested permission to tion, fans suffer, and football er, I will accept the outcome
The investigation concluded speak to Payton for the first Investigators said there are suffers." because the most important
the Dolphins violated the time after that announce- differing recollections about thing is that there be no dis-
league's anti-tampering pol- ment but New Orleans de- the wording, timing, and Goodell chastised Ross for tractions for our team as we
icy on three separate occa- clined to grant it. context of Flores' claim of a making the comments. begin an exciting and win-
sions. The Dolphins had im- $100,000-a-game offer from "An owner or senior execu- ning season."
permissible communications Ross' suspension ends the the club to tank, but it "was tive must understand the
with Brady as early as August same day Deshaun Watson not intended or taken to be weight that his or her words Former U.S. Attorney and
2019 through the 2020 post- is eligible to return from his a serious offer, nor was the carry, and the risk that a com- SEC Chair Mary Jo White
season, while he was under six-game suspension. A dis- subject pursued in any re- ment will be taken seriously and a team of lawyers from
contract to the New England ciplinary officer handed out spect" by Ross or anyone else and acted upon, even if that the Debevoise law firm led
Patriots. Watson's punishment on at the club. is not the intent or expecta- the NFL's investigation.

Barcelona clears more cap room, sells Mingueza to Celta

(AP) — Barcelona cleared more fer were not immediately available, but
salary cap space Tuesday by selling Barcelona said it retained the right to
defender Óscar Mingueza to Celta repurchase the 23-year-old player and
Vigo. kept the rights to 50% of his future sale.
An initial agreement with Celta had
Barcelona is trying to meet the Span- been reached in July.
ish league's financial fair play rules and
register newly signed players Robert Le- Mingueza, who plays as a right back or
wandowski, Raphinha and Jules Koun- as a central defender, signed with Celta
dé. until 2026. He came through the Barce-
lona academy before being promoted to
The club had already made up some the first team by coach Ronald Koeman
space with the loans of defender Clé- in 2020.
ment Lenglet to Tottenham and striker
Francisco Trincão to Sporting Lisbon. Mingueza made 66 appearances with
Barcelona in all competitions, helping
Financial details of the Mingueza trans- the team win the Copa del Rey in 2021.