Sports controversies 2024: Read details about the biggest scandals and disputes of the year
Get the inside scoop on the biggest sports controversies of 2024, including surprising scandals, contentious disputes, and unforgettable drama
2024 was one controversy-filled year for the sports world. Many controversies rocked the world of sports during that year, and doping scandals as well as governance disputes symbolized how increasingly complex the challenges for the world of sports have been.
Here is a list of top 10 sports controversies of 2024:
Vinesh Phogat Olympic disqualification
The list of shocking moments continues with the disqualification of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics. This was due to a simple weigh-in error that took away an assured silver medal from one of India’s brightest medal hopes. Phogat has a higher weight by 100 gms in the weigh-in rounds on the morning of her final. This incident led to mass protests all over India; people and athletes cried out in vain for an unjust decision.
PCB vs BCCI: Cricket’s biggest feud
It reached a dramatic point over the controversy between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India regarding hosting rights for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy when the PCB turned the tables on the BCCI by saying it was unreasonable to block its hosting rights. The BCCI retaliated saying that because of political tension between India and Pakistan, it couldn’t host the event in Pakistan.
Sanjiv Goenka and KL Rahul Rift in IPL 2024
The public fight between Sanjeev Goenka and KL Rahul stole the show during IPL 2024. Rahul is Goenka’s Lucknow Super Giants team captain, but the latter received massive public bashing after the player had awful matches. The bitter exchange led to questions about the role of owners and pressure on athletes. Rahul was later released by LSG and picked up by Delhi Capitals for Rs. 14 crore.
Real Madrid boycotts Ballon d’Or
In football, Real Madrid announced they would boycott the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony after learning it was Manchester City’s Rodri who would emerge with that award instead of their own star player, Vinicius Junior, due to alleged bias in its voting system.
Imane Khelif case of gender disqualification
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics but her victory was tainted by a highly contentious case of gender ineligibility, which renewed public interest in the debate over gender in sports.
Magnus Carlsen’s chess controversy
The chess world’s one of the biggest stars, Magnus Carlsen, has been disqualified from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship for wearing jeans, which violates the dress code.
Magnus Carlsen attended the tournament wearing jeans, which according to the formal dress requirements were a breach, the organizers alleged.
Igor Stimac’s football fiasco
Igor Stimac’s tenure as the Indian national men’s football team’s head coach came to a shameful end. The AIFF relieved Stimac after the worst losses in Indian history. He later sent a formal complaint to FIFA citing a probable breach of contract.
FIFA scandal with Saudi Arabia
Human rights groups did not welcome FIFA’s choice to hold the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, with their human rights records in question. The whole scandal was a shame to the game, and regulations were called to be stiffer.
