Whereas 2023, like some other 12 months, had its moments of drama on the sector, it additionally had its fair proportion of moments off of it, exposing the typically unlucky ugly aspect of sports activities.
Sport is sort of a two-sided coin; one aspect is an absolute star, crammed with moments of groups and people creating moments of ecstasy, historical past, and achievements, whereas the opposite is a not-so-pleasing one, moments that one thinks might have been prevented.
The 12 months 2023 was no exception to this case. Listed here are the highest controversies this 12 months.
1. Sexual assault allegations in opposition to WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh and wrestlers protest
The largest controversy of the 12 months within the Indian context, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has had a unstable 2023.
In January, the WFI chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was alleged to have sexually harassed a number of ladies wrestlers, together with a minor, sparking protests by a number of main wrestlers within the nation.
Brij Bhushan (centre) was accused of sexual assault of seven wrestlers, together with one minor.
| Picture Credit score:
PTI
Brij Bhushan (centre) was accused of sexual assault of seven wrestlers, together with one minor.
| Picture Credit score:
PTI
The checklist included Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya, who gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding Singh’s resignation and the dissolution of the WFI.
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports activities took discover of those allegations and sought an evidence from the WFI whereas the Indian Olympic Affiliation (IOA), after getting the criticism letter from the protesting wrestlers, created an oversight committee to conduct an enquiry into the allegations.
The members of the committee have been sporting heavyweights together with boxer and former Rajya Sabha member M.C. Mary Kom, wrestler and politician Babita Phogat, and badminton participant Trupti Murgunde.
After three months of consultations, it was introduced that the WFI would maintain recent elections, with Brij Bhushan stating that he wouldn’t contest for the president’s put up. Nevertheless, for the reason that inquiry was not made public and as Delhi Police didn’t register any FIR of the victims (seven wrestlers, together with one minor), the protests resumed.
Wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat with supporters throughout their protest march to calls for arrest of Wrestling Federation of India Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
| Picture Credit score:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar / The Hindu
Wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat with supporters throughout their protest march to calls for arrest of Wrestling Federation of India Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
| Picture Credit score:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar / The Hindu
The Supreme Courtroom took cognisance of this, with the FIRs then being registered below the Safety of Kids from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 in addition to for provisions relating to outraging the modesty of girls below the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Recent WFI elections have been held in December which noticed Brij Bushan-backed candidate Sanjay Singh elected as the brand new president. The protests continued; Sakshi introduced her retirement whereas Bajrang returned his Padma Shri Award.
2. Rubiales kisses Hermoso with out consent after Spain wins FIFA Ladies’s World Cup
The Spanish Ladies’s Nationwide Soccer group made historical past in 2023 when it received the World Cup for the primary time, changing into solely the second nation after Germany to win each the boys’s and ladies’s FIFA World Cups.
La Roja’s night of pleasure rapidly turned controversial when Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Soccer Federation, kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips with out her consent.
Hermoso filed a criticism in opposition to him, accusing him of sexual misconduct. The episode marked widespread protests throughout the footballing fraternity, with Spain’s Prime Minster Pedro Sanchez calling for Rubiales’ sacking.
Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso was kissed by Luis Rubiales on the lips, with out her consent.
| Picture Credit score:
REUTERS
Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso was kissed by Luis Rubiales on the lips, with out her consent.
| Picture Credit score:
REUTERS
The 46-year-old’s refusal to acknowledge the misconduct and resign on his personal made issues worse.
Whereas UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin prompt prosecuting the president appeared illogical, a restraining order was issued by a decide in Madrid that prohibited Rubiales from being inside 200 meters (656 ft) of Hermoso.
FIFA additional took motion, suspending the president from the game for 3 years.
3. Helmut Marko blames Perez’s ethnicity for dip in efficiency
Crimson Bull advisor Helmut Marko as soon as once more grew to become the speak of city for all of the incorrect causes when he blamed Crimson Bull Racing Driver Sergio Perez’s inconsistent type on his ethnicity.
The Mexican driver had a 2023 to neglect. After being the second driver for the Austrian group in his first two seasons, he began the 12 months with hope to problem for the title. Nevertheless, his type dipped this season.
After the Italian Grand Prix in September, talking to Crimson Bull’s official channel, Servus TV, when Marko was requested to touch upon Perez’s performances.
The 80-year-old additional justified the motive force’s fluctuating type on his “South American” heritage, claiming he was not as centered in his head as his European counterparts Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel – each world champions with Crimson Bull.
Perez, nonetheless, is from Mexico, which is formally a part of North America.
Crimson Bull Racing’s failure to place out a press release condemning this behaviour got here below some scrutiny, however group principal Christian Horner clarified that Marko was contracted below Crimson Bull and never the racing group.
Marko has apologised since, contradicting his earlier feedback saying generalisations can’t be made based mostly on one’s nationality, and the matter has been put to relaxation.
4. Angelo Mathews timed out within the ICC ODI World Cup 2023
In the course of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Angelo Mathews grew to become the primary cricketer to be dismissed by ‘timed out’ in worldwide cricket.
Whereas the Marylebone Cricket Membership (MCC) guidelines state {that a} new batter on the crease is given three minutes to face the primary supply, solely a two-minute window was adopted within the World Cup.
Sadly, for Mathews, who wanted to vary a damaged helmet, that window was breached.
What stirred controversy on this entire incident was that it was Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan who appealed for the wicket, who, in keeping with Mathews and the Sri Lankan dugout, was not upholding the spirit of the sport in doing so, and known as it an act of ‘shame’.
The 2 groups didn’t shake arms put up the sport.
5. The Zion Williamson-Moriah Mills Saga
NBA star Zion Williamson discovered himself in a controversial soup when grownup star Moriah Mills accused him of dishonest. The incident passed off when Williamson and his associate introduced they have been anticipating a child collectively.
Mills shared screenshots of her alleged chats with the 22-year-old. Moreover, she additionally launched a TikTok video the place she claimed that the New Orleans Pelican star promised to ship her a whooping USD 62,000 to maintain his fame secure, which she insisted she by no means obtained.
Including gas to the fireplace, she additionally accused Williamson of bodily abusing her. Despite the fact that these accusations didn’t compromise his profession, the 6ft 4 ahead always discovered himself within the public eye, due to his unhealthy type.