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Ray and Janay Rice at a press conference after his initial suspension. AP/Press Association Images
Assault

NFL under pressure as new footage of Ray Rice punching his then-fiancée emerges

TMZ released the graphic footage earlier today.

THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL League and the Baltimore Ravens are under increasing pressure to take further sanctions against Ray Rice after new footage emerged of the running back punching his then fiancée earlier this year.

The graphic footage shows Rice and Janay Palmer arguing in the corridor of the Revel Casino in Atlantic City on February 15 before entering an elevator.

Once inside, Rice can be seen striking her twice in the face and appearing to hit her head into the elevator wall, knocking her unconscious.

Palmer – who married Rice a month later – is then dragged out of the elevator after it comes to a stop.

The NFL claimed on Monday that it was the first time it had seen the footage, with Ian Rapoport reporting the Ravens had no knowledge of the footage either.

After the first video of the incident came to light earlier this year – which showed Rice dragging an unconscious Palmer from the elevator – the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell were widely criticised for only suspending the player for two games and issuing him with a fine of $500,000.

The Ravens were also criticised at the time for holding a press conference where Palmer – now married to Rice – apologised for her role in the incident.

Following the incident, both Rice and Palmer were arrested on simple assault charges only to be released on a summons. Rice was then placed in a diversion programme which, upon completion, could lead to the charges against him being dropped.

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