Not enough
NHL finds insufficient evidence of racial slurs
Posted: Thursday October 08, 1998 07:13 PM
TAMPA, Florida (AP) -- An NHL investigation of accusations that two Tampa Bay Lightning
players made racial slurs directed at Peter Worrell of
the Florida Panthers
concluded Thursday that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the
allegations.
The ruling came on the eve of the season opener between the intrastate
rivals, after league officials reviewed videotape of an October 2
exhibition game and interviewed executives of both teams. The league said
Worrell, who is black, told officials that he heard no racial remarks or
saw any particularly offensive gestures.
Panthers officials had complained to the league that Lightning players
Sandy McCarthy
and Darcy Tucker
made derogatory gestures at Worrell during the exhibition game between the
teams in Jacksonville.
The NHL also investigated whether Worrell was the subject of racial
comments during or after the game. McCarthy and Tucker denied the
accusations and demanded an apology from Panthers executives.
"The Panthers organization considers this issue closed and will have
no further comment," team spokesman Mike Hanson said following the ruling.
"Peter has expressed a desire to put this situation behind him and
concentrate on beginning the season tomorrow night."
In its ruling, the NHL said it didn't doubt the integrity of two
Panthers employees who claimed to hear racial insults.
However, the league added, "after interviews with 14 other
individuals, virtually all of whom were in the vicinity of the alleged
incidents and virtually none of whom heard any such remarks or saw any
particularly offensive gestures, a significant preponderance of testimony
supports the three players' version of what transpired."
The Lightning was en route to South Florida for Friday night's opener
when the NHL announced its decision.
"That the league is unable to conclude there is a basis to these
particular allegations should in no way suggest even the slightest
tolerance by the league of racial taunts or slurs or other inappropriate
conduct," said Colin Campbell, NHL senior vice president and director of
hockey operations, in a statement.
"Any racially motivated behavior is unacceptable. Players in the
National Hockey League deserve the respect of their peers and have the
absolute right to operate in an environment from racial innuendo. Any
behavior to the contrary will be dealt with severely."
Dennis Cunningham, NHL vice president of security, interviewed players
and employees of the teams as well as arena and security personnel of the
arena in Jacksonville.
McCarty said earlier this week that he had been accused of making
"apelike" gestures toward Worrell, but insisted the only gesture he made
was a "chicken" gesture because the Florida player refused to fight.
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