Intro:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he 'admires' New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft for not appealing the $1m (£642,000) fine and draft-pick punishment handed out by the NFL over the 'deflate-gate' scandal.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner: (on Robert Kraft's decision to accept the league's punishment for Tom Brady)

"The decision that Robert (Kraft, New England Patriots owner) made was his decision. I admire and respect Robert as you all know. We've had plenty of discussions over the last couple of weeks and this was his initiative and something he wanted to do and I certainly admire the step he took. We may disagree on things but that's, that's not unusual. That happens."

SOUNDBITE (English) Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner:

"Listen, anytime anyone's suspended from the game that they live it's difficult. So any player, coach that we're involved with suspending, that decision comes after a great deal of thought and consideration and recognizing that a, that's a difficult decision and we're very careful with it and we're very thoughtful with it. And I have great admiration and respect for Tom Brady but the rules have to be enforced on a uniform basis and they apply top everybody, they apply to every club, every individual coach, every individual player and that is something that we put the game ahead of everything."