The N.F.L. Players Association said Tuesday it filed a grievance against the league for unilaterally changing its policy on the national anthem, the latest salvo in the nearly two-year old controversy over whether players should be allowed to kneel during the anthem.
In a statement, the union said the new policy was changed without consulting the Players Association, something that “is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights.”
The N.F.L. did not comment Tuesday.
At a meeting in late May, the 32 N.F.L. owners voted to overhaul their protocol for what players must do during the anthem.