NFL star's contract ended after 'leaked' attack

Baltimore running back Ray Rice received only a two-game suspension in July for assaulting his then-fiancee

An NFL footballer has had his contract "terminated" after footage which seems to show the moment he knocked his then-fiancee unconscious emerged online.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was banned for two games in July for assaulting Janay Palmer, who he has since married.

In the clip, posted by TMZ, a man appears to lunge at a woman in a lift at the Revel casino, Atlantic City.

After he hits her, she falls to the floor and he drags her out of the lift.

There had been criticism of the NFL over Rice's punishment in July, with many claiming it was too soft.

He was also fined more than $500,000 (£309,320).

NFL officials say they had not seen the video until today.

In a press conference earlier in the year Rice said: "I made the biggest mistake of my life".

He also addressed the issue at training camp, saying: "My actions that night were totally inexcusable. That night … I just replay over and over in my head. That's not me. That's something I have to live with the rest of my life."

The NFL has since toughened its policy on dealing with stars guilty of domestic violence, meaning similar assaults could now lead to a six-game suspension or a lifetime ban for a second offence.

The new rules cover all types of physical force.

Another NFL star, Josh Gordon, is currently serving a one year ban for testing positive for marijuana. It was the third time he broke the league's drugs policy.

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