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Vikings' Williamses appeal judge's decision in suspension case

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Attorneys for Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams say a judge erred by declining to permanently block the NFL from enforcing their suspensions.

Tuesday's filing with the Minnesota Court of Appeals is another step in the players' long legal battle against their four-game suspensions for violating the NFL's anti-doping policy. They tested positive for a banned diuretic in 2008.

Hennepin County Judge Gary Larson ruled in April that the NFL violated the three-day notice requirement in a Minnesota law on drug testing. But he said the Williamses hadn't been harmed by the violation.

Their attorneys say that ruling allows the NFL to benefit from violating the players' rights.

The Court of Appeals earlier rejected the NFL's request to expedite the case, so the defensive tackles might get to play the entire 2010 season.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press