Page 6 - CMB FEB 04 2022

A32 sports
Diabierna 4 Februari 2022

Elway defends himself, says Flores interview was no sham

obvious that they had been going on a few hours of sleep
drinking heavily the night to meet the only window
before.” provided to us.”

Elway responded that he se- At the time, Flores was the
riously considered Flores, linebackers coach and defen-
one of five candidates for the sive play caller for the New
job that ultimately went to England Patriots. He was
then-Bears defensive coor- hired by the Dolphins short-
dinator Vic Fangio. And he ly after his interview with the
denied Flores’ contention he Broncos.
was hung over and just going
through the motions to sat- “I interviewed Brian in good
isfy the league’s requirement faith, giving him the same
that teams interview minority consideration and opportuni-
candidates for head coaching ty as every other candidate for
jobs. our head coaching position in
(AP) — John Elway is re- by Brian Flores, I could not cos in a lawsuit this week al- 2019,” Elway said.
futing Brian Flores’ claim be silent any longer with my leging unfair hiring practices “For Brian to make an as-
in a lawsuit that his in- character, integrity and pro- in the NFL. sumption about my appear- Elway said he enjoyed his
terview with the Denver fessionalism being attacked,” ance and state of mind early 3 1/2-hour interview with
Broncos in 2019 was a the Denver Broncos presi- Flores said in the lawsuit that that morning was subjective, Flores and was “prepared,
sham and only conduct- dent of football operations Elway, then the team’s gen- hurtful and just plain wrong,” ready and fully engaged ... as
ed to satisfy the NFL’s said in a statement released eral manager, and president/ Elway said in his statement. Brian shared his experience
Rooney Rule. by the team Thursday. CEO Joe Ellis showed up an and vision for our team.”
hour late for his interview at Elway said that if he appeared
“While I was not planning Flores, recently fired as head a Providence, Rhode Island disheveled, “it was because “It’s unfortunate and shock-
to respond publicly to the coach in Miami, named the hotel, and they “looked com- we had just flown in during ing to learn for the first time
false and defamatory claims Dolphins, Giants and Bron- pletely disheveled and it was the middle of the night” fol- this week that Brian felt dif-
lowing an interview in Den- ferently about our interview
ver with another candidate, with him,” Elway added.
Mike Munchak, “and were

Lingard told to stay at Man

U because of Greenwood

absence

(AP) — Mason Greenwood’s me they would rather want
suspension at Manchester him to stay,” the German
United played a role in the coach said. “For me, that was
club’s decision to keep Jesse a decision that I could fully
Lingard until the end of the understand and accept.
season, manager Ralf Rang-
nick said on Thursday. “So, it was two things. One
thing was obviously that we
Greenwood was arrested on had a problem with Mason
Sunday and questioned on Greenwood and being with-
suspicion of the rape and as- out a player for the time be-
sault of a woman. He was ing that has played regularly
released on bail on Wednes- in the last couple of weeks.
day and United has said the And on the other hand, the
20-year-old forward “will not club couldn’t find an agree-
train with, or play for, the ment with any other club.”
club until further notice.”
Rangnick said Lingard asked
Lingard, who plays in a simi- for a couple of days off “to
lar position to Greenwood, clear his head” and would
wanted to leave United be- therefore miss United’s
fore the end of the January match against Middles-
transfer window in search of brough in the fourth round
more playing opportunities. of the FA Cup on Friday.
Newcastle and West Ham
were reportedly interested in Edinson Cavani will also be
signing the England interna- missing because he has been
tional. granted extended time off in
his native Uruguay following
Rangnick said United’s its World Cup qualifiers but
board changed its stance over Paul Pogba could start after
Lingard. recovering from a groin in-
jury.
“With the window closing
Monday evening, in the af- The France midfielder has
ternoon the board informed been out since November.