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2023 was an incredible year in terms of the sporting calendar. There were several matches that went all the way down to the wire, producing great entertainment for fans.
There were moments of ecstatic joy and agonising heartbreaks with wins and losses being part and parcel of the life of sportspersons and athletes.
Having said that, there were quite a few controversies too which made headlines. Some on the field, some off it. Here in this article, here is a look back at some of the top controversies of the year 2023.
Spanish Football Federation President Kisses Player Without Consent
Although the Spanish Women’s football team scripted history as they managed to clinch the FIFA World Cup for the first-time ever, their moment of glory turned controversial when Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, kissed senior player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. Hermoso later filed an official complaint against Rubiales even going on to accuse him of sexual misconduct. After huge uproar FIFA eventually banning the President from the sport for three years.
Neeraj Chopra’s First Throw In Asian Games Unmeasured Due To Technical Glitch
At the Asian Games 2022 which was pushed to 2023 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Neeraj Chopra’s gold medal victory was tarnished because of a technical glitch. Although his first throw itself looked promising and could have been enough to bag him a medal it was not measured due to what was called a ‘technical glitch’. It didn’t matter much to Chopra though since after a re-throw request, he ended up giving his season-best throw to bag the ultimate award on offer.
Angelo Mathews: First-Ever Timed Out Dismissal In International Cricket
2023 witnessed the first-ever timed out dismissal in international cricket. The fact that it happened in a World Cup fixture attracted all the more eyeballs. The incident happened in a round-robin stage match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
While a new batter was given a two-minute window to get ready to face the first ball, Mathews in the end needed to change his helmet after that window had elapsed but Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed for the dismissal and the on-field umpire deemed the batter ‘out’.
Sri Lankan dugout reckoned Shakib was not holding the spirit of the game while Mathews called it a ‘disgrace’. Cricketing world remained divided on what Shakib had done who himself said that he was at war and did what he thought was best for the team.
Novak Djokovic Writes Controversial Message On Camera
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic known for speaking his mind invited criticism when he wrote a controversial message on camera after one of his on-field victories. The 36-year-old wrote: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop The Violence” on TV camera after his first-round win in the French Open, yet another Tennis major which he went to win.
Wrestlers Protest Against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh
Undoubtedly the biggest controversy in the sporting sphere in India happened with regards to the Wrestling Federation Of India (WFI). It is pertinent to note that the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh allegedly sexually harassed several women wrestlers which included a minor.
The allegations were followed by protests against the WFI chief by leading wrestlers in the country like Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat. These named among others got together at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and demanded Singh’s resignation and the dissolution of the WFI. Eventually, FIRs were registered against Singh and a fresh round of elections were conducted in December.
However, Brij Bushan’s aide Sanjay Singh elected as the new president which meant the protests continued. Sakshi announced her retirement from the sport while Bajrang returned his Padma Shri Award. Protests could continue well into 2024.
