New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has insisted that he trusts quarterback Tom Brady after the 37-year-old told him he was not guilty of any wrongdoing in the deflategate scandal.

The NFL banned Brady for four matches and also docked the Super Bowl champions their first-round pick in the 2016 Draft along with a fourth-round selection in 2017 as a report by Ted Wells found that it was more probable than not they had deflated footballs in the AFC championship game.

However, the Patriots have claimed that they are innocent and Brady has appealed his suspension, which has been given the full backing of the club.

When asked if he trusted Brady, Kraft told TheMMQB.com: "Yes. Because we had the discussion — if you did it, let's just deal with it and take our hit and move on. I've known Tommy 16 years, almost half his life.

"He's a man, and he's always been honest with me, and I trust him. I believed what he told me. He has never lied to me, and I have found no hard or conclusive evidence to the contrary."

Brady's appeal will be heard by commissioner Roger Goodell in the near future.