Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh believes that deflating footballs would give a team an unfair advantage in a match, in relation to the 'deflategate' scandal involving the New England Patriots.

The Patriots are currently being investigated by the NFL after a report suggested that 11 of the 12 balls used by Tom Brady and his offense in the AFC championship game were under-inflated.

Harbaugh told ESPN: "I think the league is on it, and they're going to do whatever is right and proper. They're going to make sure the game is played with integrity, it's played the right way, it's fair and there are no unfair advantages for either side in any game.

"That's what sport's all about, that's what football's all about, that's their obligation, and I'm confident that they're up to that responsibility."

When asked if deflating footballs would give a team an unfair advantage, Harbaugh added: "I think there's an obvious answer to that - Yes, it would be an unfair advantage."

Harbaugh claimed that the Patriots were "deceptive" following his side's loss in the divisional round of the playoffs to Bill Belichick's men.