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Appeals court upholds Peterson's 2014 suspension

Hannah Foslien / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The NFL has won another battle against the NFL Players Association in the ongoing war over player discipline.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that Adrian Peterson's yearlong suspension over child abuse charges in 2014 was wrongly vacated, declaring that neither commissioner Roger Goodell or the arbitrator acted beyond their authority.

The decision has no impact on Peterson's ability to play in 2016, but the running back may be forced to pay a fine equivalent to six games pay.

It's another crushing loss for the NFLPA as it attempts to curb Goodell's disciplinary power.

"The commissioner is the chief executive officer of the NFL," the ruling reads. "Article 46 of the Agreement authorizes the Commissioner to impose discipline for 'conduct detrimental to the integrity of, or public confidence in, the game of professional football.' The standard NFL player contract further acknowledges that the commissioner has the power 'to fine player in a reasonable amount; to suspend player for a period certain or indefinitely; and/or to terminate this contract.' The agreement does not define 'conduct detrimental' or prescribe maximum or presumptive punishments for such conduct."

In February 2015, a U.S. District Court overturned Peterson's indefinite suspension, allowing him to return for the 2015 campaign.

But the matter was not laid to rest, with the NFL continuing to dispute its right to fine Peterson, a decision which was upheld by an arbitrator.

This ruling and the decision to reinstate Tom Brady's four-game suspension give the NFL leverage to retain control over player discipline when negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement begin.

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