New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has come out in support of quarterback Tom Brady after the NFL gave him a four-game ban for his role in the deflategate scandal.
A report commissioned by the league has found that the 37-year-old was probably aware that 11 footballs were under-inflated during the Patriots' AFC championship win over the Indianapolis Colts in January.
The league believes that the evidence provided was sufficient to ban Brady, but Kraft is adamant that his player, and his team, are innocent.
His statement reads: "Despite our conviction that there was no tampering with footballs, it was our intention to accept any discipline levied by the league. Today's punishment, however, far exceeded any reasonable expectation. It was based completely on circumstantial rather than hard or conclusive evidence.
"We are humbled by the support the New England Patriots have received from our fans throughout the world. We recognise our fans' concerns regarding the NFL's penalties and share in their disappointment in how this one-sided investigation was handled, as well as the dismissal of the scientific evidence supported by the Ideal Gas Law in the final report.
"Tom Brady has our unconditional support. Our belief in him has not wavered."
Brady's agent has said that they will appeal the ban.
