Sports and controversies might be thought of as anti-thesis of each other but with so much – pride, prestige and money – at stake, they go hand-in-hand. Ruchi Verma points out that it is a phenomenon witnessed across the world with sporting nations courting unseemly controversies that highlight the complexities and challenges these incidents pose to the sports ecosystem. Match-fixing, doping and failure to comply with regulations are known to take away the sheen from fair contests.
Sports and controversy have a long-standing relationship that transcends geographical boundaries even in the world of sports. It is a phenomenon that has been observed across various sports and cultures, and India is no exception.
The country has witnessed its fair share of controversies in the world of sports, often leaving a lasting impact on the athletes, teams, and the sport itself. There have been many sports controversies in India that highlight the complexities and challenges that these incidents pose to the sports ecosystem.
One of the most recent and significant controversies in Indian sports is the match-fixing allegations that have plagued football. The allegations, made by Ranjit Bajaj, a prominent figure in Indian football, have sent shockwaves through the Indian football community, raising concerns about the integrity of the game in the country. Bajaj claimed that specific matches in Indian football leagues were manipulated for financial gains, casting a shadow over the credibility of the competitions. The allegations have led to widespread outrage and calls for action to address the issue.
Fixing facts
Another significant controversy in Indian football is the feud between Antonio Habas and Eelco Schattorie in an Indian Super League (ISL) fixture. The event unfolded during an ISL match at the Salt Lake Stadium in 2020, where ATK faced off against Kerala Blasters. Kerala Blasters managed to keep ATK at bay for the majority of the game, culminating in a late goal that put them in the lead.
A few controversial decisions went against the hosts. When one goal from ATK was ruled out as ‘offside’, the built-up frustration tipped over. ATK’s head coach Antonio Habas and goalkeeping coach Angel Pindado found themselves in a heated exchange with Eelco Schattorie and his assistant. As a result, both head coaches received a two-game suspension along with a fine of ₹1 lac each. Additionally, Pindado faced similar repercussions but was fined ₹2 lacs for his involvement in an altercation that included kicking Ahmed during the tense encounter.
The Indian Football Federation has also faced criticism for its handling of the FIFA suspension. The suspension, imposed for 11 days in August 2023, was seen as a major setback for Indian football.
The suspension was imposed due to the AIFF’s failure to comply with FIFA’s regulations regarding the election of its president. The suspension had significant implications for Indian football, including the loss of a golden opportunity for Gokulam Kerala FC Women to participate in the AFC Women’s Club Championship.
In the world of hockey, the Indian women’s team has faced controversy surrounding the tenure of head coach Janneke Schopman, former Dutch field hockey player. Schopman’s three-year tenure was marked by inconsistency on the pitch, controversial selections, and a few hard questions for Hockey India.
Despite a few decent results, the team failed to win enough matches, especially in big tournaments. They finished ninth at the World Cup and failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Schopman’s resignation was inevitable, given the team’s poor performance and her criticism of Hockey India for gender-based discrimination.
Cricket cracks
Cricket, India’s most popular sport, has also been plagued by controversies. From on-field incidents to off-field controversies, Indian cricket has seen its fair share of dramatic moments. The sport has witnessed a number of high-profile cases of match-fixing and corruption allegations. The match-fixing scandal in Indian cricket during the early 2000s involved prominent players like Mohammed Azharuddin and led to significant repercussions within the sport.
Another notable controversy was the infamous ‘Monkeygate’ incident involving Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds during India’s tour of Australia in 2008. Then, the contentious ban imposed by match referee Mike Denness on Indian cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, in 2001. These controversies have not only tested the integrity of the game but have also sparked intense reactions from fans, players, and cricketing authorities, shaping the narrative of Indian cricket beyond the boundaries of the sport.
Another controversy that hit Indian cricket recently was when the Indian Premier League’s Mumbai Indians Team decided to give the captaincy to Hardik Pandya over Rohit Sharma for IPL 2024 and transitioning his stint with the Gujarat Titans. This strategic alteration, aimed at the team’s long-term strategy, stirred emotions among fans who deeply value Rohit’s pivotal contribution to the team’s impressive record of winning 5 IPL titles.
Disqualifications and more
Sports controversies have significantly impacted the performance of Indian sports teams across various disciplines. These controversies have not only affected the morale of the athletes but also the overall perception of the sports and the governing bodies.
In the Asian Games 2023, held in Hangzhou, China, participants witnessed a series of perplexing decisions, technical glitches and peculiar incidents, primarily affecting Indian athletes. One such instance occurred when Indian track and field athlete, Hurdler Jyothi Yarraji was unjustly disqualified for a false start in the women’s 100 m hurdles final, a mistake she did not commit.
Following a protest, she was reinstated, with her bronze medal upgraded to silver. Additionally, India’s prominent javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Kumar Jena encountered their own challenges during the men’s javelin throw final.
A technical glitch in the scoring system led to the inability to accurately measure the distance of Neeraj’s initial throw. Even as that was being checked, Abdulrahman Alazemi of Kuwait proceeded with his first attempt. This was shocking as the protocol dictates that the next athlete waits until the previous one’s score is officially confirmed.
In the meantime, the competition was halted for a few minutes until it was decided that Neeraj would need to redo his first throw. Despite being the defending champion, Neeraj displayed no signs of protest.
Upon returning to his mark, he sprinted in and hurled the javelin with all his might. This time, the distance was recorded, measuring at 82.38 m. While commendable, it fell short of Neeraj’s initial throw.
Affecting performance
Doping controversies have periodically affected Indian athletes, emphasising the need for a strict anti-doping measures. To improve the performance of Indian sports teams, it is essential to address these controversies and ensure that the sports are governed in a transparent and accountable manner.
After finishing sixth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Discus Thrower Kamalpreet Kaur emerged as a prominent figure in Indian athletics. Following spectacular performances, she subsequently qualified for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
However, her career trajectory took an unpleasant turn when she tested positive for the banned substance stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, in a sample collected by the Athletics Integrity Unit. As a result, she faced a three-year ban from the competition.
The four-year doping suspension of Wrestler Narsingh Yadav, right before the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, remains a significant doping controversy in India. Failing two doping tests, Yadav claimed that a rival wrestler had sabotaged his Olympic aspirations.
Initially cleared by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), his clearance was later contested by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Ultimately, just one day before his scheduled bout at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Yadav was handed a four-year ban.