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Aussie cheats, ‘sexist’ tennis umpires — 7 controversies that rocked sports in 2018

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From ball-tampering scandal involving Steve Smith & David Warner to Serena Williams’ outburst after US Open final, the sports world saw a lot of controversy.

New Delhi: It’s been another controversial year in sports. From the Newlands ball-tampering scandal involving three Australian cricketers to Serena Williams accusing an umpire of sexism at the US Open, there were several incidents that kept the wheels of controversy turning in 2018.

ThePrint looks back and picks the seven biggest ones.

Newlands ball tampering scandal

In March 2018, the Australian team found itself in an embarrassing position after television cameras caught Australian opener Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper on the rough side of the ball at Newlands, Cape Town.

Upon being noticed by on-field umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth, Bancroft pulled out a black cloth from his trousers as a decoy for the sandpaper.

But at a press conference later in the day, Bancroft and captain Steve Smith confessed to ball tampering, with the latter claiming responsibility on behalf of the “leadership group”, also including vice-captain David Warner.

The incident was unanimously condemned in Australia, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also saying it beggared belief.

Cricket Australia imposed year-long bans on Smith and Warner, which will only end on 29 March 2019, while Bancroft served a nine-month ban, which ended 29 December.

The incident also led to large-scale changes in Cricket Australia, and in the way the Australians want to play cricket.


Also read: Despite ball tampering, Steve Smith deserves compassion and sympathy


Mohammed Shami’s public marital discord

Also in March, Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami was publicly accused by his wife Hasin Jahan of extra-marital affairs with several women. She even accused Shami of beating her up in front of their child, and made match-fixing allegations against him.

The BCCI suspended Shami’s annual retainership contract, pending investigation. He was later cleared of the charges after a probe by former Delhi Police commissioner and BCCI anti-corruption chief Neeraj Kumar.

On 10 April, Jahan filed a case of domestic violence and sought family maintenance of Rs 7 lakh per month. But in August, after their divorce, the court ruled in Shami’s favour, and asked him to pay Rs 80,000 per month for the upkeep of their daughter.

Cristiano Ronaldo rape allegations

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s two best football players alongside Lionel Messi, was accused of rape by American national Kathryn Mayorga in September.

Mayorga said Ronaldo of sexually assaulting her at a suite in the Palms Casino Resort in July 2009.

Ronaldo’s lawyer Peter Christiansen called the allegations baseless. He said: “The documents that allegedly contain statements by Cristiano Ronaldo and were reproduced in the media are pure inventions.”

Ronaldo himself denied all the accusations made against him in a tweet.

Nike’s Kaepernick advert

In September, American sportswear multinational Nike found itself mired in controversy when it unveiled National Football League (NFL) player Colin Kaepernick as its new brand ambassador.

Back in 2016, Kaepernick had sat on one knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality against people of colour and drawn flak for what was called an unpatriotic gesture.

Americans started burning Nike products as a form of protest, with even US President Donald Trump speaking out against the choice of Kaepernick.

Serena Williams accuses umpire Carlos Ramos of sexism

Also in September, 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams accused umpire Carlos Ramos of sexism during her defeat in the US Open final, saying he treated her harshly because she is a woman.

During her match against Japan’s Naomi Osaka, Williams was cited by the umpire for a code violation, for interacting with her coach during the match. He then levied a penalty point against here for smashing her racquet, and a game penalty for calling him a “liar” and “thief”.

Williams later said, “I have seen other men call other umpires several things”, and alleged that Ramos had never given a game penalty to a man because he said “thief”.

United States Tennis Association president Katrina Adams came out in Williams’ defence, calling her a “true champion” and an “inspiration”.

On the other hand, the International Tennis Federation commented that the decisions taken by Ramos were in accordance with the “relevant rules”.

The controversy also split sports fans, with some saying Williams’ outburst was rooted in truth, while others alleged she was sore because she lost to Osaka, a first-time major winner.

Mithali Raj at the ICC Women’s World T20

In a letter to the BCCI in November, senior cricketer Mithali Raj accused coach Ramesh Powar of bias and discrimination during the ICC Women’s World T20 in the West Indies.

Raj was dropped in the semi-finals, despite scoring half centuries in the last two games she had played, before missing a match due to injury.

She even tweeted that her patriotism was doubted.

On his part, Powar accused Raj of blackmailing coaches and putting her own interests before the team’s.

According to NDTV, Powar, in his e-mail to the BCCI, said: “I was saddened and baffled by her attitude. It gave me an impression that for Mithali Raj, she comes first and then team India.”


Also read: My conduct, patriotism is being questioned: Cricketer Mithali Raj on coach Powar’s charges


Virat Kohli’s ‘don’t live in India’ comment  

India captain Virat Kohli made the headlines during the launch of his own mobile app on his 30th birthday on 5 November.

Kohli read out a Twitter remark from a cricket fan, which called him an “over-rated batsman”. The fan went on to say, “and personally I see nothing special in his batting. I enjoy watching English and Australian batsmen more than these Indians”.

Kohli’s reaction, which caused the uproar, was: “Okay, I don’t think you should live in India then…you should go and live somewhere else, no? Why are you living in our country and loving other countries? I don’t mind you not liking me but I don’t think you should live in our country and like other things. Get your priorities right.”

It was only after the damage was done that Kohli clarified on Twitter, and said he does not know how to ‘troll’ people.

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