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 generally unlucky ugly aspect of sports activities.
Sport is sort of a two-sided coin; one aspect is an absolute star, full of 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 may 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 most important controversy of the 12 months within the Indian context, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has had a risky 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.
| Photograph Credit score:
PTI
Brij Bhushan (centre) was accused of sexual assault of seven wrestlers, together with one minor.
| Photograph Credit score:
PTI
The record 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 grievance letter from the protesting wrestlers, created an oversight committee to conduct an enquiry into the allegations.
The members of the committee had 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 contemporary elections, with Brij Bhushan stating that he wouldn’t contest for the president’s put up. Nonetheless, because the 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.
| Photograph 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.
| Photograph Credit score:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar / The Hindu
The Supreme Court docket took cognisance of this, with the FIRs then being registered underneath the Safety of Youngsters from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 in addition to for provisions relating to outraging the modesty of girls underneath the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Recent WFI elections had 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 Girls’s World Cup
The Spanish Girls’s Nationwide Soccer staff made historical past in 2023 when it gained the World Cup for the primary time, changing into solely the second nation after Germany to win each the lads’s and girls’s FIFA World Cups.
La Roja’s night of pleasure shortly 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 grievance 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.
| Photograph Credit score:
REUTERS
Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso was kissed by Luis Rubiales on the lips, with out her consent.
| Photograph 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 instructed prosecuting the president appeared illogical, a restraining order was issued by a choose 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
Purple Bull advisor Helmut Marko as soon as once more turned the discuss of city for all of the mistaken causes when he blamed Purple Bull Racing Driver Sergio Perez’s inconsistent kind on his ethnicity.
The Mexican driver had a 2023 to neglect. After being the second driver for the Austrian staff in his first two seasons, he began the 12 months with hope to problem for the title. Nonetheless, his kind dipped this season.
After the Italian Grand Prix in September, chatting with Purple Bull’s official channel, Servus TV, when Marko was requested to touch upon Perez’s performances.
The 80-year-old additional justified the driving force’s fluctuating kind on his “South American” heritage, claiming he was not as targeted in his head as his European counterparts Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel – each world champions with Purple Bull.
Perez, nevertheless, is from Mexico, which is formally a part of North America.
Purple Bull Racing’s failure to place out an announcement condemning this behaviour got here underneath some scrutiny, however staff principal Christian Horner clarified that Marko was contracted underneath Purple Bull and never the racing staff.
Marko has apologised since, contradicting his earlier feedback saying generalisations can’t be made primarily based on one’s nationality, and the matter has been put to relaxation.
4. Angelo Mathews timed out within the ICC ODI World Cup 2023
Through the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Angelo Mathews turned 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 alter 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 line 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 came about when Williamson and his associate introduced they had 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 repute protected, which she insisted she by no means acquired.
Including gas to the hearth, she additionally accused Williamson of bodily abusing her. Despite the fact that these accusations didn’t compromise his profession, the 6ft 4 ahead continuously discovered himself within the public eye, due to his unhealthy kind.