Oilers coach Paul Coffey accused of making racist gesture towards fan

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Liam McCormick
May 9, 2024 (7:28)

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Last night the Edmonton Oilers suffered a gut-wrenching loss, but something even more serious may have occurred. Plenty of Canucks fans online have accused Oilers coach Paul Coffey of making a racist gesture.

According to a fan behind the bench, somebody was banging on the glass to agitate the Oilers coaches. Multiple fans confirmed that Coffey turned around to face the fan, and made a gesture towards the fan's turban. Team security reportedly escorted the fan out of the building, but then verified his story of Coffey's gesture.

Multiple other fans have also come out online to say they witnessed the gesture. The Canucks fans have found the time of which the incident occurred, and have reportedly passed on information for the NHL to investigate the incident.

Canucks Fans share accusations of Paul Coffey making racist gesture

This is a very troubling allegation against the Oilers coach and franchise legend. If true, once the NHL conducts their internal investigation, there could conceivably be changes behind the Oilers bench. Coffey has been instrumental this season to the turnaround of the Oilers, and if this allegation is true, it will be a horribly bitter element to an otherwise fantastic year. Coffey's coaching and legendary franchise status has markedly improved the Oilers defence this year.

In 2014 while coaching the Toronto Marlboros in the GTHL, Coffey was assessed a game misconduct and a three game suspension for a discriminatory slur.

The NHL needs to investigate this situation and take this matter very seriously. If it's found to be true, it's very unlikely that Coffey would be allowed back behind the Oilers bench, or any other NHL bench. In the coming hours, we should learn more about the NHL's approach with this ongoing situation.