American football: Falcons want their millions

National Football League's suspended quarterback Michael Vick should repay US$20 million ($26 million) in bonuses to the Atlanta Falcons, arbitrator Steven Burbank has ruled.

American media reported that the decision allows the Falcons to go after US$19.97m in signing bonuses from Vick, who was suspended indefinitely by the league after pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges in August.

Burbank said the Falcons were entitled to recoup bonuses because payments to Vick did not apply to money earned but for future services, which now could not be earned.