The NFLPA has appealed New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension.

Brady was suspended without pay by the NFL on Monday for the first four games of the 2015 season stemming from his role in the Patriots' "Deflategate" scandal.

The NFLPA called for an independent arbitrator to hear the case.

"Given the NFL's history of inconsistency and arbitrary decisions in disciplinary matters, it is only fair that a neutral arbitrator hear this appeal," the NFLPA said. "If Ted Wells and the NFL believe, as their public comments stated, that the evidence in their report is 'direct' and 'inculpatory,' then they should be confident enough to present their case before someone who is truly independent."

Under the collective bargaining agreement, the NFL now has 10 days to name a arbitrator and schedule Brady's hearing, though that date can be pushed back if both sides agree.

Brady's agent said Monday that he would appeal the suspension to commissioner Roger Goodell. The deadline to appeal was the end of the day Thursday. The Patriots, who were fined $1 million and lost two draft picks, have until May 21 to file an appeal of their penalties to the NFL.

The punishment was announced five days after the release of the lengthy Wells report that found that Patriots personnel deliberately deflated footballs before the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 18, 2015, and that Brady "was at least generally aware" of the violations.

"With respect to your particular involvement, the report established that there is substantial and credible evidence to conclude you were at least generally aware of the actions of the Patriots' employees involved in the deflation of the footballs and that it was unlikely that their actions were done without your knowledge," NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent wrote in a letter to Brady.

The 243-page report by league-appointed attorney Ted Wells said it was "more probable than not" that Brady was aware of plans to prepare the footballs to his liking, below the NFL-mandated minimum of 12.5 pounds per square inch.

Who didnt see this coming

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has elected to preside over the appeal of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's suspension, rejecting the NFLPA's request that an independent arbitrator hear the case.

"Commissioner Goodell will hear the appeal of Tom Brady's suspension in accordance with the process agreed upon with the NFL Players Association in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement Thursday night.

NFLPA officials declined immediate comment.

The union filed a formal appeal on Brady's behalf earlier Thursday. Brady is contesting his four-game suspension in relation to Deflategate.

"Given the NFL's history of inconsistency and arbitrary decisions in disciplinary matters, it is only fair that a neutral arbitrator hear this appeal," the union said in a release Thursday afternoon. "If Ted Wells and the NFL believe, as their public comments stated, that the evidence in their report is 'direct' and 'inculpatory,' then they should be confident enough to present their case before someone who is truly independent."

News of Goodell's decision was earlier reported by Bleacher Report and ESPN's Ed Werder.

Goodell hired Wells to investigate Brady and the Patriots, and deferred the choice of punishment to NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent. Wells' findings led Vincent to suspend Brady for the first four games of the upcoming season.

In addition, Vincent handed down penalties to the team that will cost the Patriots two draft picks, including a first-rounder in 2016, and $1 million. The Patriots have until May 21 to file an appeal of their penalties.

The 243-page report concluded it was "more probable than not" that Brady was aware of the planned deflation of Patriots game balls in the AFC Championship Game.

Wells himself defended his findings earlier this week in the face of what he called "ridiculous" allegations that questioned his independence from the league office and whether the Patriots were victims of a witch hunt.

On Thursday, prior to the filing of Brady's appeal, the Patriots attempted to poke holes in Wells' report by launching a website that directly challenges some of the findings.