Moss denies assault allegation

Randy Moss joined the New England Patriots this season determined to avoid off-field problems. Now he’s in the middle of one, days before Sunday’s AFC championship game.

A temporary restraining order was issued Monday requiring the wide receiver to stay at least 500 feet from a woman who alleged he committed “battery causing serious injury” to her at her Florida home on Jan. 6.

Moss denied the allegation by Rachelle Washington, which he called “this situation of extortion,” and said he was “furious” about it.

No criminal charge has been brought. A hearing on whether to issue a permanent restraining order is scheduled for 3 p.m. Jan. 28, six days before the Super Bowl.

Moss broke his usual midweek silence as he was surrounded by two dozen reporters and 10 video cameras at his locker Wednesday. He didn’t identify the woman but said she has been a friend for 11 years and that she asked for “six figures” for what he said was an accident in which she was hurt.

“I want to make something clear,” Moss said. “In my whole entire life of living 30 years, I’ve never put my hand on one woman, physically or in an angry manner.”

David McGill, the attorney for Washington, had no comment, according to his legal assistant, Melissa Miller. A telephone message left by the Associated Press with Moss’ attorney, Jim DiPiero, was not immediately returned.

Tony Sparano was named coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Sparano, 46, was the Dallas Cowboys’ assistant head coach before accepting the Dolphins’ offer. The hiring had been anticipated since Bill Parcells fired Cam Cameron, who went 1-15 in his first year as an NFL head coach.

The Kansas City Chiefs hired former Cowboys head coach Chan Gailey as offensive coordinator.

He replaces Mike Solari, who took the Chiefs from being one of the league’s top offenses to one of the worst in two years.

Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett interviewed for a second time with the Atlanta Falcons. . . . New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross returned to practice and said he would be ready to play in the NFC title game against the Green Bay Packers. . . . The Tennessee Titans were granted permission to talk to Denver assistant head coach Mike Heimerdinger, a day after dismissing offensive coordinator Norm Chow.