PETERS TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — Peters Township police say there are no facts to support allegations that a high school football coach encouraged members of his team to play while injured.

Rich Piccinini was accused of ignoring trainers’ advice and pressured his players to come back from injury before they were healed.

“The police department has been unable to support these allegations with fact,” Peters Township Police Chief Harry Freucht said. “So, we’re done with it.”

Police began to investigate after a complaint from Children and Youth Services believed to have been made by a football parent.

The school board already voted to rehire the coach for next year.

Mark Mortland, the team trainer who originally made the allegations, was treating patients and unavailable for an on-camera interview.

He said he never thought there was anything criminal in the coach’s behavior and that he stands behind all the statements he’s made.

Piccinini’s attorney says he’s delighted and relieved, but does not want to talk at the moment because he is considering a civil lawsuit.

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