EON

Washington – Michael Vick, the star quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, will plead guilty to charges related to sponsoring dogfighting, his attorney announced Monday, according to US sports media.

Vick, 27, will formally enter his plea in a federal courthouse August 27. The terms of his plea agreement have not been announced, but he is expected to agree to serve at least one year in jail, ESPN reported. The maximum federal sentence is five years.

The National Football League (NFL) is expected to suspend Vick indefinitely. Vick will not be playing in the American football league season set to begin in September.

Vick has been one of the NFL’s dynamic stars and among its most marketable players. The NFL, however, has in recent months taken tough action against players involved in criminal activity in an effort to shore up its image.

Vick’s attorney, Billy Martin, released a statement saying his client will plead guilty and accepts “full responsibility” for his actions.

According to the indictment against Vick released last month, Vick and some of his associates were involved in a dog fighting ring that included gambling and the use of his property to stage events.

The indictment said dogs who had shown little fighting prowess were executed by gunshots, drowning, electrocution or hanging.