Attorney Defends UNC's Hatchell Amid Player Complaints

The University of North Carolina women's basketball coach is denying a report accusing her of making racist remarks to her team and forcing athletes to play while injured.  

The attorney for coach Sylvia Hatchell says players misconstrued comments she made as racist and that she wouldn't try to force someone to play without clearance from medical staff.

Wade Smith made the comments Thursday to The Washington Post and The News & Observer.

The school placed Hatchell and her coaching staff on paid administrative leave Monday amid player concerns while a law firm conducts a review of the program. The Post, citing unnamed parents of players, said complaints were made about inappropriate racial comments and athletes being pushed to play while injured.

Smith said in a statement that Hatchell "does not have a racist bone in her body" and "cares deeply about (players') health and well-being."