It's official: Players ask Tagliabue to take a hike

• Union to file motion to remove ex-commish as arbitrator
• Perception of conflict of interest at root of players' concerns
• Latest bounty appeals currently scheduled for Oct. 30

The NFL Players Association filed a motion Wednesday in U.S. District Court in New Orleans, asking that former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue recuse himself from the appeals process of the New Orleans Saints' bounty case because of conflicts of interest.

The NFLPA, which represents three of the players, and attorney Peter Ginserg, who represents linebacker Jonathan Vilma, asked Judge Ginger Berrigan to appoint an impartial arbitrator.

The NFL said it is against the removal of Tagliabue, appointed last week by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who removed himself from hearing these appeals.

The NFLPA's motion was expected after the union sent a letter to Tagliabue this week, citing his involvement with the law firm representing the NFL in Vilma's defamation lawsuit against Goodell, as well as his Tagliabue's work with the league as an advisor.

Those roles are conflicts of interest that compromise his neutrality as an arbitrator, the union said. The NFLPA asked Tagliabue to clarify those roles. Tagliabue didn't respond, the NFLPA said.

The NFL has until 5 p.m. Friday to answer the union's motion. The NFLPA then must respond by noon Monday. Wednesday, however, a league spokesman said the league would fight Tagliabue's removal.

"We have advised the union that we believe there is no basis on which former Commissioner Tagliabue should recuse himself and we will oppose any request that he do so," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "The appointment is consistent with the CBA and past practice, and there is no question that Commissioner Tagliabue is fully qualified to hear these appeals."

The hearings for all four players are scheduled to be heard by Tagliabue on Tuesday, but it's unclear whether the NFLPA's filing will disrupt the proposed time frame.

Although Ginsberg immediately pointed out Tagliabue's possible conflicts, Vilma appeared to applaud the appointment.

"I think it's a good first step for Paul to be the neutral arbitrator," Vilma said. "We expect that he is going to do things in a neutral capacity, which would be to allow us to cross-examine some of the witnesses, allow us to see more of the evidence -- if there is more evidence -- and be able to have a fair hearing."

Tagliabue was NFL commissioner from 1989-2006.