Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliott

Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension has been put on hold


Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has had his six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy put on hold and he is now free to feature beyond Week One.

A US federal judge granted his request to have the ban, which was set to begin Monday one day after he was eligible to compete in the Cowboys' season-opening game against the New York Giants, suspended.

"We are very pleased that Mr Elliott will finally be given the opportunity to have an impartial decision-maker carefully examine the NFL's misconduct," lawyers for the NFL star said.

"This is just the beginning of the unveiling of the NFL's mishandling as it relates to Mr Elliott's suspension."

Elliott posted a video on social media with the caption: "Momma told me if ya fall never stay down."

The running back is likely to be able to continue playing as the legal process unfolds following the injunction from US District Court Judge Amos Mazzant on Friday.

And there is a strong chance the 22-year-old will be allowed to feature for the Cowboys for the entire season as the case remains in the courts, US media reported.

"The question before the court is merely whether Elliott received a fundamentally fair hearing before the arbitrator," Mazzant wrote in his ruling.

"The answer is he did not. The court finds, based upon the injunction standard, that Elliott was denied a fundamentally fair hearing by [arbitrator Harold] Henderson's refusal to allow [former girlfriend Tiffany] Thompson and [NFL Commissioner Roger] Goodell to testify at the arbitration hearing.

"Their absence... effectively deprived Elliott of any chance to have a fundamentally fair hearing. The court grants the request for preliminary injunction."

Elliott, who was never arrested or charged by the police in the incident, has maintained his innocence after being accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

The original punishment was issued by Goodell on August 11 after a 13-month league investigation.

The Cowboys did not comment on the court's decision.

Under the personal conduct policy, players found by the league to have committed domestic violence are subject to "a baseline suspension without pay of six games" regardless of whether "the conduct does not result in a criminal conviction".

Elliott, the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft, led the NFL in rushing with 1,631 yards, scored 15 touchdowns and was named an All-Pro during his rookie season.

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