Former Nihon University football head coach Masato Uchida denied on Wednesday ordering a controversial and dangerous illegal tackle that left an opposing player in the hospital.
At a hastily called press conference along with assistant coach Tsutomu Inoue, Uchida said Taisuke Miyagawa's illegal hit on Kwansei Gakuin University's quarterback on May 6 was the result of a miscommunication. On Tuesday, Miyagawa said at a press conference Inoue had relayed a message from Uchida that the player would receive playing time if he "crushed" the opposing quarterback.
"I absolutely did not use those words," Uchida said.