Justices reject NFL suspension dispute

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court Monday refused to review a suspension dispute between two players and the National Football League.

The rejection means a state suit filed by the players can continue.

Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, no relation but both Minnesota Vikings, were suspended for four games after a test showed they had used a banned diuretic shown to mask steroid use, CNN reported.

A federal appeals court dismissed a federal court challenge to the suspensions, but allowed a parallel state court suit to continue.

The NFL had asked the Supreme Court to throw out the state suit.

CNN said the NFL cited the National Labor Relations Act, arguing its collective bargaining agreement with the players union keeps its drug policy from being challenged in state courts. The players argued the NFL violated state labor laws.