The NFL Players Association has dismissed reports that they and the NFL were close to a settlement regarding Tom Brady's appeal against his suspension for the deflategate scandal.
The New England Patriots quarterback saw his four-game ban for the scandal upheld by commissioner Roger Goodell after it was revealed that he provided no evidence to contradict the findings of the report by Ted Wells into the incident in his hearing in June.
A report from NFL Network suggested that the two sides had discussed a settlement, which would have resulted in a one-game suspension for the 37-year-old and a fine, but Brady's camp reportedly insisted that the records had to be sealed, which ended negotiations.
However, the NFLPA has now refuted this claim, insisting that a deal was never on the cards.
Spokesman George Atallah said on Twitter: "Any report that suggests two sides were coming close on a settlement in the Brady matter is rubbish. Plain and simple, rubbish."
Brady has reportedly authorised the NFLPA to take his case against the NFL to federal court.
Simon Sinclair
