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University of Illinois basketball probe finds racism claims unfounded

(Reuters) - An outside investigation determined allegations by former University of Illinois women's basketball players claiming the head coach and a former assistant created a racially hostile environment are unfounded, the school said on Monday.

Seven former players from the team on July 1 filed a federal lawsuit that accused head coach Matt Bollant and his former assistant Mike Divilbiss of violating their civil rights. They sought $10 million in damages.

The law firm of Pugh, Jones & Johnson, conducted 33 interviews, reviewed more than 18,000 documents and looked at game and practice footage in its probe of the allegations, the school said in a statement.