Ray Rice saga: NFL launch independent investigation into handling of domestic violence case
Thursday 11 September 2014 17:40, UK
Former FBI director Robert Mueller will conduct an independent investigation into how the NFL handled the Ray Rice domestic violence saga, after a report emerged that they had been sent the now infamous video of the running back hitting his girlfriend.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell admitted he handled the situation badly when he gave Rice just a two-game ban after the incident first came to light. A video was then released by TMZ showing Rice hitting his then-fiancee Janay, who is now his wife.
Rice was then released by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL, with both parties insisting they had not seen the video – but that stance has been contradicted by a report from the Associated Press.
The report states a law enforcement officer told the AP that he had sent the video to the NFL back in April, something the NFL and Goodell have denied.
"We have no knowledge of this," the NFL said in a statement. "We are not aware of anyone in our office who possessed or saw the video before it was made public on Monday. We will look into it."
Investigation
In a letter sent to all 32 teams in the league, Goodell also said that they never saw the video until it was released, despite attempting to get hold of it in the first instance.
"First, we did not see video of what took place inside the elevator until it was publicly released on Monday. When the new video evidence became available, we acted promptly and imposed an indefinite suspension on Mr Rice," Goodell wrote.
The NFL and the Ravens have already been coming under fire for the leniency they showed Rice before the video emerged, and these latest reports have forced them to call for the independent investigation to clear it all up.
"Former FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III will conduct an independent investigation into the NFL's pursuit and handling of evidence in the Ray Rice domestic violence incident, commissioner Roger Goodell announced tonight,” said the NFL.
“Director Mueller's investigation will be overseen by NFL owners John Mara of the New York Giants and Art Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the final report will be made public.
Cooperation
"Mara and Rooney are both attorneys. Commissioner Goodell pledged that Director Mueller will have the full cooperation of NFL personnel and access to all NFL records.
“Mueller served as director of the FBI for 12 years (2001-2013) under two presidents. He is currently a partner in the law firm of WilmerHale and is based in Washington, DC."
With the league already taking some flak for seemingly going easy on Rice in the first place, these reports only place them, and Goodell, even more under the microscope on such a hot topic.
The league have announced big changes to their personal conduct policy surrounding domestic violence, with a six-game ban now introduced for a first offence and ban of at least a year for a second offence.
Rice himself could also be in further trouble following the release of the video. He was accepted into a pre-trial intervention program having been charged with aggravated assault which allowed him to avoid any possible jail time – but calls have now been raised for that decision to be reviewed.
