The National Football League [ NFL ] will independently investigate sexual misconduct allegations made against Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder.
Tiffani Johnston, an ex-cheerleader and marketing manager for the team, alleged to a Congressional hearing last week that Snyder had placed his hand on her thigh during a dinner party, before forcefully trying to get her into his limo later on.
Snyder, 57, has denied the allegations, but shortly after the team itself confirmed they would be investigating Johnston's claims, the NFL followed suit, with spokesperson Brian McCarthy saying: "Last week, the League stated that we will review and consider Ms. Johnston's allegations as we would any others regarding workplace conduct at the Washington Commanders.
"The League, not the team, will conduct an independent investigation and will be retaining an investigator to determine the facts shortly."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hinted on Wednesday that the authority weren't satisfied with the team conducting their own enquiry.
"I do not see any way that a team can do its own investigation of itself," he said during a press conference.
"That's something that we would do with an outside expert who would be able to come to a conclusion of what the facts were and what really, truly happened so we can make the right decision from there.
"So we'll treat that seriously and move forward."
Snyder purchased the Washington Redskins, originally known as the Washington Commandos, in 1999, for $800 million - with Johnston's employment ending there in 2008.
Since he became the owner, the team's annual revenue has increased from more than $100 million a year and he has sat on six NFL committees, including appointments to the Broadcast Committee, the Business Ventures Committee, the Digital Media Committee, the International Committee, the Stadium Committee and the Hall of Fame Committee.
He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
However, his tenure has also brought criticism from fans due to the team's losing record and his willingness to fire coaches.
He also repeatedly refused to change the name of the franchise, despite many fans deeming 'Redskins' to be a derogatory term towards native Americans.
After a number of sponsors threatened to cut ties in the wake of the George Floyd protests, the team temporarily played as the Washington Football Team for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
