Sheriff’s Deputy Alleges DeBartolo Punched Fan

Police want to talk to 49er owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. regarding allegations he punched a fan after Saturday’s NFC playoff game at Lambeau Field, Green Bay police Capt. Bruce Hamilton said.

Michael Heenan, an off-duty sheriff’s deputy attending the game, told The Post-Crescent in Appleton, Wis., on Tuesday that he was “100% sure” he saw DeBartolo punch the fan after the game, knocking him backward over a garbage can.

A large man with DeBartolo head-butted another fan, Heenan said.

Police in Green Bay said they still were investigating the incident and could not confirm reports by several fans that DeBartolo was involved in the incident.

When contacted by reporters Tuesday, Heenan declined further comment.

DeBartolo did not immediately return telephone messages left Tuesday at his Youngstown, Ohio, office.

William A. Scharlas, 30, of Waukesha, Wis., has said he was head-butted after game while he and his friend, Dale Nault, 64, were standing with about 30 people outside the Lambeau Field gate. The Packer fans were waiting for the 49er players to come out so they could heckle them, Scharlas said.

Nault said he was punched in the mouth.

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Dallas police have found no physical evidence to link Michael Irvin to an alleged sexual assault at the home of Cowboy teammate Erik Williams, a source familiar with the case told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

“There are no Michael Irvin fingerprints,” the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the newspaper in Tuesday’s editions.

But the woman who accuses Irvin and Williams of sexual assault did have bruises on her back and thighs consistent with such an attack, the official said.

The 23-year-old woman accused Williams and another man of raping her at Williams’ home Dec. 29 while Irvin held her at gunpoint. She said Irvin videotaped portions of the alleged attack.

Williams and Irvin have denied the allegations. No one has been charged, and no name has surfaced for the other man purportedly involved.

As the police continues, so does criticism of the way police have handled the case publicly.

“I think we handled the investigation appropriately,” Police Chief Ben Click has said. “I’m not going to second-guess the detectives that are handling this case. I think it was handled the way we traditionally handle cases like this.”

But City Council member Al Lipscomb said detectives should have declined comment after initial broadcast reports of the allegation.

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Former San Diego Charger Coach Bobby Ross was to meet Tuesday in the Detroit area with Lions owner William Clay Ford, his son, vice chairman William Jr., and executive vice president Chuck Schmidt, according to published reports.

The Lions are searching for a replacement for Wayne Fontes, who was fired last month after eight-plus seasons.

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Mike Nolan, 37, the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator for the past four years, has been named to replace the fired Ron Lynn as Washington’s defensive coordinator.

“[He brings] experience in the [NFC East] division, but more importantly, experience in the league, and the level he’s done the job over the last four years, I think, speaks for itself,” said Washington Coach Norv Turner, who interviewed no other candidates.

Turner also announced he is firing defensive line coach Bob Karmelowicz and linebackers coach Mike Haluchak. No replacements were named.

The defense ranked 26th, 18th and 28th in the league over Lynn’s three years in Washington, and this season’s injury-ravaged squad was the league’s worst against the run.