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NFL decides it won't discipline Matt Patricia, Lions over old sexual assault claims

ALLEN PARK -- Lions ownership has moved on from the decades-old accusations of sexual assault made against Matt Patricia. So has the front office, and players too.

Now, it seems, the NFL is ready to close the book on Patricia too.

The NFL has decided it won't discipline Patricia, who was indicted but never tried for aggravated sexual assault in 1996. He did not disclose the accusations to the Patriots, who hired him as an offensive assistant in 2004, nor to the Lions, who hired him as head coach in February.

The league also won't discipline the Lions, who did not uncover the indictment during the hiring process, then backed Patricia after it came to light.