TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona State placed hockey coach Greg Powers on administrative leave on Wednesday as the school investigates the collapse of a player during an outdoor workout.
Powers will not join the team for its season opener at Lindenwood on Friday in the wake of the Aug. 20 collapse of defenseman Matthew Mayich. Assistant coach Mike Corbett will lead the team against Lindenwood, and an interim coach will be named soon.
“Our focus continues to be on Matthew and his family, and on our student-athletes to make sure they have the support they need during this time and as the season begins,” ASU athletic director Graham Rossini said in a statement. “We have continued to collect as much information as possible. After thorough and careful deliberation, I believe this is the best move to provide stability for the hockey program.”
The 21-year-old Mayich collapsed during an outdoor workout on the first day the NCAA allows official activities. He suffered from external heat stroke that reduced flow of oxygen to his brain and is unlikely to recover, according to family attorney Rob Carey.
The Arizona State police department is investigating the incident, and a report will be sent to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for independent review when completed.
“What happened to Matthew has deeply affected everyone in our program, and I continue to hope for strength and healing for him and his family,” Powers said in a statement. ”I support the University’s decision to place me on administrative leave while the circumstances surrounding the August 20 workout are reviewed. I believe this will allow the review to proceed thoroughly, independently and without distraction. I intend to cooperate fully and want a process that Matthew, our players, their families and the broader ASU community can have confidence in."
Arizona’s House and Senate education committee chairs also called for an independent investigation of Arizona State’s hockey workout after reading a letter from the players.
Seven players sent a letter to university President Michael Crow on Monday urging the school to place the coaches involved in the workout on administrative leave until an independent investigation is concluded. The letter also called out discrepancies from an initial probe by the university.
The players sent the letter anonymously through an attorney, fearing retribution from the coaching staff. They said several other players didn't join the letter out of fear of retribution.
“I respect our players’ right to speak openly and honestly about their experiences, and I want every player to feel completely free to participate candidly in the review,” Powers said. “I care deeply about these young men and their well-being, and I will respect whatever they choose to share through that process.”
Mayich's parents, John and Christina Mayich, issued a statement on Tuesday agreeing with the players that the coaching staff should be placed on leave and called from an independent investigation.
"The NCHC supports Arizona State University's decision to place head coach Greg Powers on leave while the circumstances surrounding Matthew Mayich's trauma are examined," the National Collegiate Hockey Conference said in a statement. “Our thoughts remain with Matthew, his family and teammates.”
See AP’s full college sports coverage here
FILE - Members of the Arizona State University hockey team skate on the ice at the new Mullett Arena, Oct. 24, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Cristiano Ronaldo walked out on Portugal’s training camp on Wednesday, hours after coach Jorge Jesus said the star forward would not start the game against Denmark in the Nations League on Thursday.
Ronaldo said that “in time” he would “tell the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons” behind his departure.
“Following the national team coach’s news conference, and after a conversation with the president of the Portuguese football federation, I decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” he said on Instagram, adding that he has always “dedicated” himself to the side.
“Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception.”
The Portuguese federation said only that Ronaldo left the training camp and that the team's preparations would continue with the remaining 24 squad members.
“The entire delegation remains fully focused on the national team’s upcoming fixtures and on achieving our goals,” the federation said.
Jesus had said in the pre-game news conference he was not planning to start Ronaldo, but dismissed the notion there was a feud between the pair.
Jesus said every player knows the coach makes the decisions, and that Ronaldo told him he would abide by whatever choices he makes.
The coach added the “rules are the same for everyone” and that Gonçalo Ramos would start up front against Denmark if everything went to plan.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the game,” Jesus said. “If we need him (Ronaldo) to play (at some point), he’ll play. If not, he won’t.”
Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in men’s international soccer with 146 goals and pursuing the milestone of 1,000 career goals, didn’t play on Sunday in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway. He has not trained with the rest of the group since, sparking widespread rumors about a possible feud with Jesus.
Jesus had said Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo would practice normally with the rest of the squad on Wednesday, but the player ended by leaving the training camp after the coach's words during the news conference.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo, who has 979 career goals, had said recently that this Saudi Pro League season is likely to be the last of his professional career.
Jesus, who worked with Ronaldo for about a year in Saudi Arabia, said the player did not refuse to practice after having been left on the bench.
“It seems like there was an issue between us, but there was no issue,” Jesus said. “I’m the one who makes the decisions and everybody knows that.”
Jesus acknowledged he had told Ronaldo he would likely play against Norway, but changed his mind because of the circumstances of the match.
He said it was a mistake to send Ronaldo to warm up for as long as he did and then not use him. Jesus added “any player” would be upset about that.
But Jesus did not apologize for telling Ronaldo that he was likely to play.
“I can promise whatever I want, I’m the coach,” Jesus said. “No player will ever make a decision for me.”
Jesus said, though, that someone with the stature of Ronaldo deserved a different type of attention from coaches “because of his career and history in soccer.”
Jesus, who took over the squad from Roberto Martínez after the World Cup, said he ended up being “obligated” to have a meeting with Ronaldo because of the noise created in Portugal over the situation.
But he maintained there was no “Ronaldo case” to talk about and there was nothing to solve between him and the player because nothing was wrong.
Jesus said it was normal that the federation president, Pedro Proença, also met with the pair.
“We had to talk the three of us, but I had already talked with Chris and the president didn’t have to solve anything because there was nothing to solve,” Jesus said.
Ronaldo started Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales last Thursday but was substituted in the 67th minute. On Tuesday, he posted on Instagram a photo of him wearing the kit accompanied by the country’s flag and a heart emoji.
Portugal leads Group A4 of the Nations League with six points from two matches, three points more than Denmark and Norway. Wales is last with no points.
Portugal also hosts Norway on Sunday.
It was not immediately clear whether Ronaldo’s departure would extend beyond the current international break.
Wednesday's news comes just as Ronaldo's long-time rival, Lionel Messi, is set for his farewell match with Argentina next week.
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus enters the field for the Nations League soccer match between Portugal and Wales in Lisbon, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus enters the field for the Nations League soccer match between Portugal and Wales in Lisbon, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus stands by the pitch before the Nations League soccer match between Portugal and Wales in Lisbon, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo starts on the bench during a Nations League soccer match between between Norway and Portugal, in Oslo, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (Cornelius Poppe/NTB Scanpix via AP)
