The NFL will not discipline newly minted Lions head coach Matt Patricia after a 1996 allegation of sexual assault against him came to light a few weeks ago.

“Our office reviewed the matter with the Lions and Mr. Patricia, and ensured the club engaged in appropriate and thorough hiring practices and that the Coach did not mislead his team during the interview process,” the league said in a statement released Monday. “We determined that the Lions handled the interview process in a thoughtful and comprehensive manner and fully and appropriately complied with all applicable employment laws. As we learned from both Mr. Patricia and the Lions, the matter was not part of his employment interview process for job opportunities outside of or within the NFL. He was under no legal or other requirement to raise this issue.

“This is not subject to the personal conduct policy as the allegations occurred well before his affiliation with the NFL.”

Patricia strongly denied the allegations after they were found by the Detroit News, saying in part, “Twenty-two years ago, I was falsely accused.” He also received support from his former employer, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Patricia worked under Belichick from 2004-17, in various assistant coaching roles including defensive coordinator from 2012-17.

He and a college teammate were indicted by a grand jury on one count of aggravated sexual assault dating back to a March 1996 arrest, but the charges were dismissed because the accuser would not take part in a trial.

Now, at least as it pertains to football, the matter seems to be closed, with no damage coming to Patricia or the Lions.