The Stream

Anger online after American football star Ray Rice wins appeal

Player was suspended after release of domestic abuse video.

On Friday, the US National Football League (NFL) website reported that player Ray Rice had won an appeal against his indefinite suspension. Rice was barred from competition in September after video emerged showing him punching then-fiancé and now wife Janay in an elevator.

In an appeal process overseen by a former US federal judge, Rice successfully argued that he had been penalized twice for the same domestic violence incident. He has been reinstated to the NFL and is eligible to sign with any team. 

Online reaction was swift, with many expressing anger at Rice’s reinstatement: