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Bill Belichick, Patriots coach, fined 50K for grabbing ref

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick $50,000 and Redskins assistant Kyle Shanahan $25,000 for their conduct toward replacement officials.

The fines announced Wednesday come as the league and its referees' union are meeting amid reports they are close to ending the lockout of the regular officials.

Belichick said in a press conference on Monday that he wanted the official to explain the final field goal.

"When the game was over I went out and I was really looking for an explanation from the officials as to whether the play was under review," he said. "I did try to get the official's attention as he was coming off the field to ask that, but I really wasn't able to do that."

The usually laconic Belichick discussed at length the incident that followed Justin Tucker's 27-yard field goal, which capped Baltimore's comeback from a 30-21 deficit in the fourth quarter and dropped the Patriots (1-2) to their first sub-.500 record in nine years.

The kick appeared to go just inside the top of the right upright or slightly above it.

Belichick said a field-goal kick is not reviewable if it goes above the top of an upright, but is reviewable if it goes below the top and to either side of it.

The Patriots led 30-21 with 10:50 left, then punted. The Ravens scored with 4:01 remaining, making it 30-28, but Tom Brady and the offense couldn't use up the entire clock. Another punt gave Baltimore the ball with 1:58 remaining.

Then New England's defense struggled, capped by Devin McCourty's pass interference that gave Baltimore the ball at the Patriots 7-yard line. Two plays later, Tucker made his winning kick.

Stay with FOX 25 for further updates.