Coach Piccinini's Lawyer Issues Statement About Allegations

For the first time since allegations surfaced that he forced injured players to play in games, Peters Township High School's head football coach, Rich Piccinini, is speaking out.

The following statement was released by Piccinini's lawyer, Robert G. Del Greco, Jr., on Friday:

"For 22 years, Rich Piccinini has coached football without even a whisper of impropriety. The excellent reputation that he has earned over two decades should speak volumes as to the absurdity of the 'Mortland report.' The investigated and unfounded witch hunt in August has reared its ugly head in January, this time in a meritless CYS complaint, presumably made by an anonymous source. Playing time in high school football in western Pennsylvania, a currency that has become more valuable than gold to the obsessed and disgruntled, has undoubted motivated yet another round of baseless allegations. Considerable resources have already been dedicated by a 'real' superintendent, athletic director and principal to investigate the accusations and the result was that there is no truth to Mr Mortland's conclusion. While no one welcomes a police investigation, hopefully this second inquiry will yet again expose the allegations as scurrilous attacks on Mr. Piccinini and, importantly, put them to rest again and forever."

On Thursday, began an investigation on the  football program after receiving a complaint Wednesday from the county's Children and Youth Services Department. 

Police Chief Harry Fruecht launched the investigation after receiving a complaint from CYS that "an alleged perpetrator is permitting children to play sports with concussions or concussion-like symptoms."

Last week, the  renewed 's 2012-13 contract . 

An email between  and Superintendent Nina Zetty discussing the allegations against Piccinini circulated to all parents involved in the football program the week prior.

The email is being investigated although it is simply accusational, Fruecht said Thursday.

Piccinini was an assistant football coach for 's football team .

This article first appeared on Peters Patch.