On Saturday night, November 12, the Bataclan reopened its doors for a Sting concert–the first show at the venue since last year’s tragic terrorist attacks. Eagles of Death Metal’s Jesse Hughes reportedly attempted to visit the Bataclan, but was denied entry due to controversial comments he made, suggesting that the venue’s security staff was involved in the attacks. (Hughes later apologized for his remarks, but eventually reiterated them, resulting in his band getting dropped from French music festivals.) Now, one of EoDM’s general managers–Marc Pollack of the MGMT Company–has told Billboard that Hughes “never even tried entering the club for Sting’s show.”

In a statement, Pollack said, “Jesse is in Paris to share in remembering the tragic events of a year ago with his friends, family and fans.” He also called Bataclan co-director Jules Frutos (who said he threw Hughes out) a “coward,” and added that he “feels the need to soil his own club’s reopening by spreading false tales to the press, and tainting a wonderful opportunity that could’ve been used to spread peace and love, to further spread mean spirited words of hate.” Read the full statement here.

In addition to Pollack’s statement, The Hollywood Reporter’s Paris correspondent has said that security was so tight at the Sting show that it was “nearly impossible to gain entry without a ticket.” Pitchfork has reached out to Marc Pollack, as well as Jesse Hughes’ representatives, for more information and further comment.