COWBOYS AND SAINTS FINED £500,000 OVER JOINT PRACTICE BRAWLS

The Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints each received a £500,000 fine from the National Football League following a joint practice session that descended into multiple fights. Eight brawls broke out during the two-hour session on Tuesday, with both head coaches considering ending practice early as the disorder continued. Linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku was ejected after becoming involved in one of the altercations, during which Saints centre Erik McCoy threw a Cowboys helmet into the air before exchanging blows with Ezeiruaku.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated on Thursday that players involved in the fights would receive individual fines in addition to the team penalties. Jones said Ezeiruaku "has the capability of being sensitive to consequences" and emphasised that disciplinary action must follow infractions both in games and in broader conduct. The linebacker was not permitted to finish practice following his ejection. Ezeiruaku has a history of discipline issues: he was ejected earlier in training camp for punching Dallas right tackle Terence Steele, and was benched during the previous season after fighting New York Giants player Greg Van Roten.

Jones described the incident as "a serious matter" requiring appropriate response. The practice session involved Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer and New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore directing their respective teams. The NFL fines represent formal consequences imposed for the conduct during the supervised session between the two organisations.