Patriots coach Bill Belichick was reportedly fined by the NFL and the team was docked two OTA practices, including Thursday's cancelled session. (AP photo)

The New England Patriots have been docked two days of organized team activities for violating NFL rules about offseason practices, a person familiar with the league’s decision told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on Thursday on the condition of anonymity because the penalty wasn’t announced. Reports also said Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined $50,000.

The penalties were first reported by ESPN. NBCSports.com reported the violation was for holding a mandatory meeting that was required to be optional. Other reports said the meeting was a special teams meeting conducted by assistant coach Joe Judge, and that put the players beyond the four-hour limit for their daily time at the facility.

The Patriots had been scheduled to hold an OTA on Thursday, but the team told reporters on Wednesday that it was canceled. Another day was canceled next week.

The team declined to comment.

(Telegraph staff writer Tom King contributed to this report.)

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