To me, the only issue that matters is when the supposed deflation occurred.
If the footballs were submitted to the referees and they examined and approved them, that is completely on the referees. Did the referees test each football with a precise gauge or did they simply give them the once-over? How strictly do the referees test the balls before the game? Why does the NFL not talk about this?
If the footballs were intentionally deflated or manipulated AFTER the referees' examination, then only with this scenario does it become a nefarious scheme. As we are seeing however, there is NO evidence of this.
This is akin to after a championship chess match the loser complaining that the winner didn't use regulation chess pieces. They can't beat us, so let's blame the equipment.