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MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that it won't permanently block the NFL from suspending Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league's anti-doping policy.
Barring another appeal, the ruling appears to clear the way for the NFL to suspend the players, which it has been trying to do since both tested positive for a banned diuretic in 2008. The players have been fighting their suspensions and could appeal the latest decision to the state Supreme Court.
Peter Ginsberg, an attorney for both players, said early Tuesday he had not talked to his clients and wasn't sure whether they would seek another appeal.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFL is reviewing the decision and determining how to proceed.
The Williamses, who are not related, tested positive in 2008 for bumetanide, a banned diuretic that can mask the presence of steroids that was in the StarCaps weight-loss supplement they were taking. They were not accused of taking steroids and said they didn't know the diuretic was in the supplement.
The players sued the NFL in state court, saying it violated state labor law. Their suspensions have been on hold while the case has been playing out in state and federal courts.
Last May, Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson ruled the NFL broke state law when it failed to notify the players of their positive test results within the mandated three days. But the judge also declined to permanently block the NFL from suspending the players, saying they weren't harmed by the notification delays.
Barring another appeal, the ruling appears to clear the way for the NFL to suspend the players, which it has been trying to do since both tested positive for a banned diuretic in 2008. The players have been fighting their suspensions and could appeal the latest decision to the state Supreme Court.
Peter Ginsberg, an attorney for both players, said early Tuesday he had not talked to his clients and wasn't sure whether they would seek another appeal.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFL is reviewing the decision and determining how to proceed.
The Williamses, who are not related, tested positive in 2008 for bumetanide, a banned diuretic that can mask the presence of steroids that was in the StarCaps weight-loss supplement they were taking. They were not accused of taking steroids and said they didn't know the diuretic was in the supplement.
The players sued the NFL in state court, saying it violated state labor law. Their suspensions have been on hold while the case has been playing out in state and federal courts.
Last May, Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson ruled the NFL broke state law when it failed to notify the players of their positive test results within the mandated three days. But the judge also declined to permanently block the NFL from suspending the players, saying they weren't harmed by the notification delays.