Athlete chased by doping testers, SPOTY debate, Women's World Cup kiss - 2023's biggest controversies

Athlete chased by doping testers, SPOTY debate, Women's World Cup kiss - 2023's biggest controversies

Watch now: GB News panel debate honours list

Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 31/12/2023

- 07:30

GB News takes a look back at some of the biggest controversies in sport from the past 12 months.

This year has seen several controversial moments in sport from a doping scandal in India and the kissing scandal from the Women's World Cup. GB News picks out five of the most contentious moments in sports from 2023.

Athlete chased by doping testers


This year's Delhi State Athletics Championship descended into utter chaos when anti-doping officials arrived on the final day of the tournament.

According to local reports, half of the athletes scheduled to compete fled the scene to avoid handing over samples to the anti-doping officials.

The men's 100m final saw just one athlete line up in the starting block while a girl in the junior steeplechase event was chased over the finish line by an officer.

The incident came just days after a video went viral on social media of a washroom inside the athletics stadium which appeared to show piles of used syringes.

Luis Rubiales is facing criminal charges for his kiss

Luis Rubiales is facing criminal charges for his kiss

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SPOTY debate

Most years there is usually a clear favourite for the Sports Personality of the Year, but 2023 didn't appear to have a frontrunner until the nominations were announced.

The nominees list caused a stir with the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan and 1500m world champion Josh Kerr left off.

But that was nothing to the backlash Mary Earps received for winning the Sports Personality of the Year award with Piers Morgan and Joey Barton leading the cries of outrage.

Morgan said: “Trying to get my head around two of England's women footballers winning BBC SPOTY in successive years… while male sporting superstars with great personalities like Rory McIlroy, Frankie Dettori and Ronnie O'Sullivan have never won it."

Women's World Cup kiss

The very tournament where Earps shot to popularity for helping England reach the World Cup final saw arguably the most controversial sporting moment of 2023.

Then-Spanish soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso as he handed out the winners' medals with the Spanish footballer later stating the smooch was not consensual.

Rubiales refused to resign from his post after Hermoso formally accused him of sexual assault and he was suspended for 90 days.

The disgraced Spanish chief, who eventually stepped down, is now facing criminal charges over the kiss.

Jon Rahm joins LIV

The PGA Tour vs LIV Golf debate took an unexpected twist this month when Jon Rahm joined the exodus to sign up for the Saudi-backed league.

Rahm had previously been outspoken against LIV Golf but changed his tune after receiving an eye-watering £450million offer.

Athletes fled the Delhi State Athletics Championship after anti-doping officials arrived

Athletes fled the Delhi State Athletics Championship after anti-doping officials arrived

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There's now a growing expectation that more PGA Tour players could jump ship to LIV to completely change the golfing landscape for 2024.

Rory McIlroy is sticking to his guns with the PGA, LIV and DP World Tour still negotiating a merger deal.

VAR controversies

VAR continues to drum up controversy seemingly on a weekly basis in the Premier League and 2023 has been no different.

VAR has caused plenty of controversy in 2023

VAR has caused plenty of controversy in 2023

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Arguably the worst of the lot came in Liverpool's match against Tottenham in September when a breakdown in communications between the officials meant Luis Diaz's perfectly legitimate goal was ruled out and nothing could be done after the mistake was realised.

Jurgen Klopp was so furious at the error that he called for the game to be replayed after Liverpool lost 2-1.

Arsenal have also been incensed at several VAR decisions this year and none were more controversial than their failure to see Christian Norgaard was in an offside position for Brentford's late equaliser back in February.

PGMOL chief Howard Webb has had his work cut out apologising to managers for mistakes from VAR officials this year and that may well continue into the New Year.

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