The four-match suspension issued to New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady over the 'Deflategate' scandal has been upheld, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed.
Brady was hit with a four-game ban in May after an NFL investigation found he was at least "generally aware" of efforts by Patriots staff to tamper with the pressure of balls used during the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts earlier this year.
Brady had angrily rejected wrongdoing and appealed against the suspension.
"I find that, with respect to the game balls used in the AFC Championship Game and the subsequent investigation, Mr Brady engaged in conduct detrimental to the integrity of, and public confidence in, the game of professional football," Goodell said in his ruling.
"The four-game suspension is confirmed."
Goodell added that Brady "willfully obstructed the investigation" by instructing for his cellphone to be destroyed by an assistant.
It was revealed in a statement from the NFL that Brady destroyed his phone, even though he was aware investigators had requested access to text messages and information on it.
According to the NFL, Brady sent nearly 10,000 text messages on the cellphone, none of which can now be retrieved.
During his appeal hearing, the NFL says Brady said it was his practice to destroy his cellphone and SIM cards when he gets a new device.
Brady is expected to challenge the decision in federal court.
3 News/AFP