Chargers appeal $20K fine from NFL for attempting to hide adhesive towels

The Chargers will appeal an NFL fine of $20K for attempting to conceal towels with an adhesive substance. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The San Diego Chargers found themselves in a sticky situation in an October game against the Denver Broncos and now the team is paying for it.

The NFL announced today that it has fined the Chargers $20,000 for attempting to conceal in-game towels that had an adhesive substance on them, according to a report Wednesday afternoon from Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com.

According to a statement from the league, it wasn't the use of the towels that got the team in trouble. It was their subsequent attempt to hide the towels once team officials were asked to turn them over for review:

[T]he NFL has determined that the club did not violate a competitive rule by use of the towels. [A]s a result of the failure of club staff to follow the directive of a game official to immediately surrender the towels when directed to do so, and to attempt to conceal the towels, the Chargers have been fined $20,000.

Consequently, the league said that any in-game towel or product with an adhesive substance that may have a "competitive effect" is now prohibited for use on game days until further notice.