The New England Patriots were stripped of two organized team activities due to coaches’ scheduling that resulted in players spending more than their allowed time at the team facility, according to league sources.
As part of its ruling, the NFL noted the “candor and full cooperation” of the Patriots, referring to it as “noteworthy and commendable.” Nevertheless, the NFL still fined coach Bill Belichick $50,000, according to league sources, in addition to taking away the two organized team activities.
The NFL Players Association had filed a formal complaint against the Patriots on May 4, alleging a violation of Article 21, Section 5(b) of the collective bargaining agreement that players can be at the team facility no more than four hours per day during the second phase of the voluntary offseason program.
The complaint was specific to meetings/workshops that weren’t on the official schedule of the four-hour workday sent to players for May 1, May 2 and May 4.
The Patriots told the NFL that the meetings/workshops weren’t mandatory, and no attendance was taken.
