DC United response to alleged Coach Nowak comments

This came in via email from V.P. Communications, Doug Hicks:

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The following may be attributed to Kevin Payne, President and CEO of D.C. United:

"Peter Nowak has categorically denied making comments during Friday's exhibition match anything like those attributed to him by Real Salt Lake. The D.C United personnel who were on the bench at the time, including me, heard no such comment nor anything like it. In an angry response directed at the referee following the third reckless and dangerous tackle by a Real Salt Lake player, Peter did shout that the player needed to be 'sent back to hospital.' Among those on the D.C. bench, who heard this clearly, were several African-American players.

The Real Salt Lake technical staff reacted, at that moment, as a group, apparently misunderstanding what Peter had said. D.C. United has confirmed with U.S. Soccer that the match officials also heard nothing like Real Salt Lake is alleging to have been said, despite the fact that the senior assistant referee working the match was within a few feet of Peter when RSL believes they heard the comment in question.

In our view, this incident is 100% a misunderstanding. Those people, that know Peter, know that such a comment would be completely at odds with his character."

Doug Hicks
Vice President, Communications
D.C. United