NFL boss admits he 'got it wrong' over Ray Rice attack
- Published
Baltimore running back Ray Rice received only a two-game suspension in July for assaulting his then-fiancee
America's National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell has said, external that policies surrounding player conduct will be changing.
He said: "I got it wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter, and I'm sorry for that.
"We do not have a clear and consistent policy that allows us to deal with all of the issues that are arising."
It comes after an online video appeared to show, external the moment Ray Rice knocked his then-fiancé unconscious.
Since then the NFL footballer has had his contract "terminated".
The commissioner gave a press conference stressing the league's plan to change: "I will get it right and do whatever is necessary to accomplish that.
"We will get our house in order first." he said.
"We will re-examine, enhance and improve all of our current programs, and then we'll do more,"
Goodell said that he has spoken to NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith to talk about the changes.
It's believed the two men will consult experts next week in order to draft new guidelines and procedures.
In August the league said they would be bringing in tougher penalties for domestic violence issues.
They said first-time offenders currently face a potential six-game suspension.
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).
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."
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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