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The father of New England Patriots star Tom Brady has criticised allegations his son was "generally aware" of a scheme to under-inflate balls during an NFL play-off game.

has claimed some Patriots staff probably deflated balls in January's 45-7 win over Indianapolis Colts.

Tom Brady Sr said he did not "have any doubt about my son's integrity".

And he claimed: "This was Frame-gate right from the beginning."

"They're saying he's possibly aware. How do you put a cloud over somebody like this?" he added.

The 243-page report, compiled by NFL executive vice-president Jeff Pash and lawyer Ted Wells, expresses the opinion that it was "more probable than not" the Patriots deliberately used balls which were below regulation pressure limits.

It added Patriots quarterback Brady was "at least generally aware of inappropriate activities" allegedly carried out by locker room attendant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski.

Brady Jr, 37, has previously denied any knowledge of ball tampering and the Patriots went on to become Super Bowl champions.

Brady Sr said the report's findings on the matter, which has been dubbed 'deflate-gate' in the media, were weighted unfairly against his son.

The report absolved other Patriots players and staff, as well as all coaches, including head coach Bill Belichick, and the team ownership.

"In this country, you're innocent until proven guilty. It just seems Tommy is now guilty until proven innocent," Brady Sr said.

"The reality is they had no conclusive evidence. The league had to cover themselves.

"This thing is so convoluted. They say that possibly - possibly - he was aware of this. The reality is if you can't prove he did it, then he's innocent, and lay off him. That's the bottom line."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will consider possible disciplinary action and what rules, if any, need to be changed.