MINNEAPOLIS -- A $4 billion lawsuit from the players union accusing NFL team owners of setting a secret salary cap in 2010 was kept alive by a federal appeals court Friday as the sniping between the two sides persists long after the end of the lockout. Miguel Rojas Jersey . The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis partially reversed a federal judges order that had rejected the unions collusion claim, sending the case back to U.S. District Judge David Doty for further proceedings. The three-judge appeals court panel that heard oral arguments in January disagreed with Doty on one of the unions two arguments for pursuing damages despite the 2011 collective bargaining agreement that was supposed to relinquish the unions right to sue for alleged breaches of the old CBA. The NFL called the appeals court decision "entirely procedural in nature" and said its "far from validating" the claims of the NFL Players Association. "The Court specifically highlighted the heavy burden that the NFLPA faces in establishing this claim, and we remain highly confident that the claim will be dismissed yet again," the NFL said in a written statement. The league, however, could be forced to make public otherwise-confidential financial and strategic information in court, which the union has pushed for all along. "We are pleased that the Eighth Circuit ruled that players have the opportunity to proceed with their claims," the NFLPA said. "Through discovery and a hearing, we can understand how collusion took place. We have notified the NFL of its obligations to preserve all relevant documents and communications." The collusion claim seeking at least $4 billion in relief for the players was originally filed in May 2012, less than a year after the new CBA was implemented following a five-month lockout. The final year of the prior CBA was supposed to be "uncapped," but the union cited public references by New York Giants owner John Mara and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as evidence that a salary cap existed and claimed a loss of $1 billion in cumulative compensation. Dallas and Washington were penalized for overloading contracts in that 2010 season despite league warnings, and the NFL in 2012 penalized them by taking away $10 million in cap space from the Cowboys and $36 million from the Redskins. Dotys oversight of the 1993 Reggie White class-action settlement was marked by mostly player-friendly rulings. The league lost enough key decisions under his jurisdiction that it twice tried to have him removed from his role as the sports legal referee, alleging impartiality. But in December 2012 he handed the union a rare defeat, pointing to the new CBA language that dismissed all prior claims and prevented the players from reopening the White settlement that served as the backbone for the old CBA to sue. The NFLPA appealed soon after. The 8th Circuit panel -- chief judge William Riley and circuit judges Roger Wollman and Bobby Shepherd -- has traditionally tilted pro-business, but this was a win for labour. The appeals court sided with Doty in ruling the alleged collusion did not invalidate the 2011 dismissal of claims because the settlement has been treated more like a contract than a true class action. However, the appeals judges disagreed with Doty on this: Under a federal rule authorizing relief in exceptional cases where the party being sued disingenuously reached the settlement, the union should be allowed to argue the merit of its lawsuit despite the 2011 dismissal. "The Association bears a heavy burden in attempting to convince the district court that the dismissal was fraudulently procured," the judges wrote. "We hold only that the Association should be given the opportunity to meet this burden." Cameron Maybin Jersey . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. Justin Bour Jersey . Cleveland released the troubled wide receiver on Wednesday, an expected ending after Bess was arrested in January for assaulting a law enforcement officer at an airport and other bizarre behaviour. http://www.marlinsteamproshop.com/Marlins-Wei-Yin-Chen-Kids-Jersey/ . With Bernard hurt, the second-round pick has emerged.Hill ran for 152 yards during a 27-10 win at New Orleans on Sunday, his second big game. He also ran for 154 yards against Jacksonville earlier this season.Wasps are the team to beat in Pool 2 but Connacht and Toulouse will also have their sights set on the quarter-finals. The inclusion of Zebre means two teams are likely to qualify for the knockout stages and try bonus points against the Italian strugglers could prove decisive. Connacht have found form at the right time after a sticky start to the season while Toulouse continue to struggle post Guy Noves. Connacht Bundee Aki is a key performer for Connacht Champions Cup record: P18 W7 D0 L11Best finish: Pool stagesWhats hot: The Westerners are back in the Champions Cup following last seasons incredible Guinness PRO12 title success and play an exciting brand of attacking rugby. After a slow start they have registered back-to-back bonus-point wins over Edinburgh and Ulster. Whats not: Defence is a real area of concern for Pat Lam - they are conceding an average of almost four tries per game - as is a lengthy injury list.Whats changed: Key duo Robbie Henshaw and Aly Muldowney have departed the Sportsground, with second rows Lewis Stevenson and James Cannon arriving from the Aviva Premiership and talented youngster Cian Kelleher joining from Leinster.One to watch: Ultan Dillane burst onto the international scene last season and has been linked with a move to Munster. It will be interesting to watch his development. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Wasps Winger Christian Wade has scored four tries in six appearances Champions Cup record: P93 W59 D2 L32Best finish: Winners (2003-04, 2006-07)Whats hot: Five wins from six games tells you all you need to know about Wasps start to the season. Dai Youngs men are playing some scintillating rugby, scoring tries for fun. Kurtley Beale and Willie le Roux will only add to their attacking prowess once they become available for selection. Wasps will be without the injured Sam Jones for up to five months Whats not: The absence of James Haskell and Sam Jones have left Wasps short on back-rowers. Thomas Young and Guy Thompson will be tasked with filling the void.Whats changed: A raft of international stars have arrived at the Ricoh Arena, offsetting the departure of Charles Piutau. Danny Cipriani, Kyle Eastmond, Beale and Le Roux have bolstered the backline. One to watch: Jimmy Gopperth has accepted the challenge of Cipriani and Eastmonds arrival and started the season with gusto. Kyle Barraclough Jersey. The Kiwi is a reliable goal-kicker but it is with ball in hand where he was really impressed.Toulouse Maxime Medard is one of a number of talented backs at Toulouse Champions Cup record: P150 W102 D4 L44Best finish: Winners (1995-96, 2002-03, 2004-05, 2009-10)Whats hot: Toulouses star-studded backline includes the likes of Maxime Medard, Yoann Huget and Gael Fickou. They can tear opposition defences apart when they take the mood. Former England fly-half Toby Flood has been deployed at inside centre Whats not: Toulouse are a crumbling, dilapidated giant. They havent played decent rugby in 10 years and thats unlikely to change if they persist with Jean-Marc Doussain at fly-half instead of Toby Flood.Whats changed: Toulouse continue to struggle post Noves. They lost Louis Picamoles and Corey Flynn in the close season, with Scotland lock Richie Gray and Sofiane Guitoune the only high-profile arrivals.One to watch: Like he did with France, Thierry Dusautoir will let his actions speak louder than words as he tries to inspire his underperforming side.Zebre Kurt Baker played sevens rugby for New Zealand Champions Cup record: P12 W0 D0 L12Best finish: Pool stagesWhats hot: Zebre were on course to beat Connacht last month, only for the heavens to open. They have also pushed Cardiff, Glasgow and the Dragons close. Three losing bonus points is all Zebre have to show for their efforts so far this season Whats not: One losing bonus point is all Zebre have managed in 12 Champions Cup games and they could face a long wait for that first European win.Whats changed: Carlo Festuccia, Josh Furno and Giovanbattista Venditti have all returned after stints in the Premiership with fellow Italy internationals Kelly Haimona and Mirco Bergamasco leaving for pastures new.One to watch: Former New Zealand sevens player Kurt Baker has made the move to Parma and the full-back could punish teams who kick aimlessly downfield.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Champions Cup fixtures Champions Cup standings Rugby on Sky Sky Sports pundits Wholesale Spain Jerseys Cheap Juventus Jersey Cheap Cristiano Ronaldo Jersey Wholesale AC Milan Jerseys Cheap Arsenal Jerseys Cheap A.S. 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