MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NFL Players Association’s claim of collusion by league owners has been rejected by the federal judge who has previously sided with the players.

U.S. District Judge David Doty issued his order on Monday, denying the NFLPA’s request to reopen the 1993 class-action lawsuit that was closed when the new collective bargaining agreement was reached in July 2011. The NFL contended the new CBA prohibited the players from suing, and Doty agreed in his written ruling.

The NFLPA contended that the league imposed a secret salary cap during the uncapped 2010 season that cost the players more than $1 billion. Four teams were punished for overspending that year.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Doty’s decision “speaks for itself.”

The NFLPA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.