Belichick says he knew about preseason fundraising trip to Saudi Arabia taken by team's GM

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- The ABC11 I-Team learned that University of North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick knew of the preseason fundraising trip to Saudi Arabia taken by the team's general manager.

The I-Team first reported about the trip , which was funded by the unnamed Saudi national.

For the first time since that reporting, Coach Belichick answered questions about the trip during a press conference on Tuesday.

Belichick went on to say he knew about the trip and knew the person who met with general manager Michael Lombardi.

"Yes, I am familiar with them and their connections and so forth," he said. "Do I have knowledge and a relationship? Absolutely, yes."

As the ABC11 I-Team previously reported , the university said the general manager traveled there at the reque