Big controversies that dominated the world of sport last year

What a year it has been for sport.

From a postponed Tokyo Olympics to Lionel Messi finally winning an international trophy with Argentina, 2021 has been a year of nothing but exhilarating sporting action.

Nothing beats the fact that while the world is still struggling to eradicate the Covid-19 pandemic, sports has been key in leading the way in restoration of normalcy.

However, not all sports fans would say the same. There have been hugely controversial moments in 2021, which will be talked about for millennia.

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In May, Kenyan football club Zoo FC’s worst fears manifested after global football regulator FIFA ordered their expulsion from the 2020/21 Kenya Premier League season after finding them responsible for what they referred to as “match manipulation”.

According to a statement seen by newsrooms, FIFA also ordered the club be relegated to the FKF Division One league for the next season.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee fins the club Zoo FC responsible for activities related to manipulation of football matches and competitions.

FIFA also asked Zoo FC to contact them in 30 days and implement a ‘prevention plan’ as an educational directive created to combat and prevent match manipulation.

Fatuma Zarika – Mercado delayed fight

The same month saw former World Boxing Council super-bantamweight champion Fatuma Zarika fume over the delay of her rematch against the reigning world champion Yamileth Mercado of Mexico. This is after the World Boxing Council approved Mercado’s title defence against compatriot Campeonato Mundial in Mexico City on June 26.

Zarika said it was disheartening to be denied a chance to prove her worth against the Mexican whom she had beaten in the past without defence from Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) at a time she was in good shape to do so.

However, in a rejoinder, Kenya Professional Boxing Commission chairman Reuben Ndolo said Zarika’s main predicament lies with her promoters who are the ones mandated to liaise with WBC for the rematch to be fixed.

Mark Otieno doping

In August, Kenyan sprinter Mark Otieno failed to take part in the Tokyo Olympics after allegedly breaching anti-doping rules following testing by International Testing Agency (ITA).

The 28-year-old returned an adverse analytical finding for anabolic androgenic steroid. The AIU said that Otieno was found to have the presence and use of a prohibited substance ‘methasterone’.

“The ITA, who are responsible for testing at the Olympic Games on behalf of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), had asserted anti-doping rule violations and provisionally suspended Otieno alongside four other athletes,” said AIU.

Stephen Soi and Hassan Wario getting different fines

In September, Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario (right) and former senior sports official Stephen Soi were handed a combined fine of Sh119 million (or a combined jail sentence of 18 years) after involvement in the 2016 Rio Olympics Scandal. 

Wario was sentenced to a six-year jail term, with the option of paying a fine of Sh3.6 million while his co-accused Soi (who headed the Kenyan team to the Olympics at the time) was sentenced to a 10-year jail term with the option of paying a fine of Sh103 million over misuse of public funds.

Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma found that Team Kenya officials hurriedly booked air tickets which were later cancelled; overpaid allowances to undeserving team officials and carried people to Brazil who were not part of the team.

Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums declared unfit by CAF

In October, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums from hosting international competitions.

The CAF Inspection Committee said the two facilities did not meet the required standard to stage FIFA/CAF related matches; World Cup/CAF qualifiers and Club competitions.

Even though Harambee Stars was allowed to play a 2022 World Cup Qualifier against Rwanda, other clubs in international competitions were left with no choice but to seek other venues.

“Kasarani Stadium should undergo general rehabilitation work. The pitch is in poor condition. Overall pitch condition must be improved, and the surface must be levelled, green and marked clearly in white,” read part of the CAF report.

“All the current teams and referees’ dressing rooms need a full upgrade and renovation. The teams and officials’ dressing rooms are not up to the standard for professional footballers use. It needs general maintenance, renovation, and appropriate high standard equipment. Consider demolishing the current dressing rooms and toilets, and build new ones,” CAF directed.

FKF - Government – Media Blackout

2021 is perhaps one year Kenyan football fans would love to forget.

What culminated in the resignation of FKF President Nick Mwendwa started out with his suspension in what can be best described as the most dramatic resignation in football.

From a media boycott to the eventual installation of a caretaker committee, Kenyan football was brought to its knees in a year the world was trying to recover from the ever-evolving Covid-19 pandemic.

It all began at the beginning of the 2020/21 FKF Premier League season when leading media houses boycotted the coverage of all Kenyan football leagues.

This was after journalists were barred by FKF officials from covering a league match between Gor Mahia and Ulinzi Stars at Nyayo Stadium on December 12 last year. The media blackout lasted for more than a month before it was lifted on January 16 after talks between the Sports Journalist Association (SJAK) and the federation.

Sporting activities were then put on hold for two months after a Government suspension order to contain the spread of Covid-19.

When the league finally resumed on May 14, clubs had to deal with a congested fixture schedule, with teams playing two to three matches in a week.

In July, FKF President Nick Mwendwa raised eyebrows among fans and stakeholders when he unveiled a new league trophy which he said cost Sh5 million.

In October, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed ordered an audit of FKF books. After a report was filed by the audit team, Amina moved to disband FKF and appoint a Caretaker Committee headed by retired Justice Aaron Ringera a month later.

Mwendwa was arrested over allegations of misuse of public funds, before being released on a Sh4 million cash bail. 

On November 29, Mwendwa was re-arrested, and charged with fraudulent use of government funds. He was later released on bail.

The following day, he stepped aside as the FKF boss and handed over his duties to Doris Petra, his deputy in the disbanded federation. 

International:

European Super League

In April, the football world was shocked to hear of advanced plans for the formation of a breakaway Super League in Europe.

Through a statement, it was revealed Twelve of Europe’s leading football clubs had agreed to establish a brand new competition, a Super League, controlled by its club-owners.

“Twelve of Europe’s leading football clubs have today come together to announce they have agreed to establish a new mid-week competition, the Super League, governed by its Founding Clubs,” read part of a statement from the European Super League.

Six teams from England, three from Spain and three from Italy had reportedly agreed to take part in this proposed new league, with the anticipation that more clubs would join.

However, football authorities worldwide including FIFA and UEFA quickly condemned these plans, threatening to ban participating players from representing their national teams.

The plans were eventually ‘put on hold’ as more deliberations of a feasible arrangement took place.

Lebron James deleted tweet on police killings

The same month saw star basketballer LeBron James delete a controversial tweet on the police shooting of a 16-year-old black girl, Ma’Khia Bryant, saying it would arouse more hatred.

The girl was killed after being called to a house where an altercation ensued.

James tweeted a photo of the white police officer accused to have killed the girl along with the caption: “YOU’RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY” and an hourglass emoji. He, however, deleted the tweet saying:

“Anger does any of us any good and that includes myself! Gathering all the facts and educating does though! My anger still is here for what happened that lil girl. My sympathy for her family and may justice prevail!”, wrote LeBron.

Naomi Osaka missing press conferences

In May, four-time Grand Slam tennis champion Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open after revealing she had suffered from depression since her first-ever Grand Slam win.

Osaka announced she would not attend any mandatory press conferences to guard her mental health.

Osaka insisted she had witnessed several athletes break down during press conferences, an occurrence she described as “kicking a person while they are down.”

"I've watched many clips of athletes breaking down after a loss in the press room and I know you have as well. I believe that whole situation is kicking a person while they're down and I don't understand the reasoning behind it," said Osaka.

President of the French Tennis Federation Gilles Moretton was deeply disappointed by Osaka and threatened to impose a fine on her.

“I think it’s a phenomenal error. What is happening here is in my view not acceptable. There are rules. There are laws. We will stick to the laws and the rules on the penalties and the fines. It’s very damaging to sport, to tennis, to her probably. She’s hurting tennis. It’s a real problem,” Moretton said.

Messi Ballon D’or

Perhaps one of the most talked-about awards in history, the 2021 Ballon d’Or was awarded to Paris Saint Germain attacker Lionel Messi, pipping Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea’s Jorginho.

Lewandowski and Jorginho both had extraordinary years: The polish striker, who missed out on the 2020 Ballon d’Or due to the covid-19 pandemic scored 64 goals, providing 10 assists for the Bavarians. He also won the Bundesliga, Club World Cup and the DFL-Supercup.

Jorginho was the star man for Italy and Chelsea in 2021. The 31-year-old led Chelsea to their second ever UEFA Champions League title, and also played a huge part in Italy’s Euro 2020 victory. He also won the Super Cup with the Blues, in a season that saw him score nine goals and provide three assists.

However, it is Lionel Messi who walked away with the Golden ball for a record seventh time. The 34-year-old led Argentina to a historic Copa America title in July, while scoring 41 goals for an ailing Barcelona. With the Blaugurana, Messi provided 17 assists and guided the club to a Copa del Rey title.

Iran’s women’s team accused of playing male goalkeeper

Another highly controversial moment came in November when the Jordan Football Association called on the Asian Football Confederation to launch an investigation and determine the sex of Zohreh Koudaei, the goalkeeper of the Iranian women's football team.

Iran had qualified for their first-ever 2022 Women's Asia Cup after a 4-2 shoot-out win over Jordan in September. Zohreh helped the team win by blocking two goal attempts by the Jordanian team resulting in Iran's qualification.

The football governing accused the goalkeeper of posing as a woman.

But Iran team's selector, Maryam Irandoost, dismissed the allegation.

Koudaei also denied the claims against her, vowing to take legal action against the Jordan FA.

"The medical staff have carefully examined each player on the national team in terms of hormones to avoid any problems in this regard, and so I tell all fans not to worry. We will provide any documentation that the Asian Confederation of Football wishes without wasting time," Irandoost told press.

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 re-draw

The 2021-22 Champions League last-16 draw also had its fair share of drama after an error occurred involving placement of the balls.

Man United were mistakenly drawn against Villarreal, whom they played in the group stage days earlier. Another error saw Man United’s ball not included in the pot for the third clash against Atletico Madrid. This meant Man United could not be picked to play against Atletico. These errors evoked angry reactions on social media, leaving UEFA with egg on face, subsequently conducting another draw, with the balls placed correctly.

Formula One – Hamilton v Verstappen

2021 will be remembered as the year Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen went head to head for the Formula One title, leading to a tie in points (369.5) before the final race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver was tipped to win a record-breaking eighth Formula One title, and this was so before a huge controversy ensued with six laps to go in the final race.

Canadian driver (Williams) Nicholas Latifi crashed his car into the barriers, prompting a safety car to move into the track and slow down the rest of the racers. This was meant to help stewards clear the track.

However, while everyone followed the safety car, Verstappen opted to pit and put on fresh tyres before the race resumed. Hamilton did not.

Initially, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) asked all unlapped cars to remain in position, which meant three cars filled the void between Hamilton and Verstappen. With only one lap remaining race director Michael Masi then allowed five cars to unlap themselves, leaving Hamilton and Verstappen to fight for first place.

Once the race resumed, Verstappen made use of his fresher tyres and pounced on Hamilton, overtaking him in in one of the final turns while holding him off to win his first-ever Formula One Grand Prix title.

Most Hamilton fans feel he was ‘robbed’ of a record eighth Formula One title.

Tottenham knocked out of conference league after forfeiting match

This month also saw the controversial elimination of Tottenham Hotspur from the new Europa Conference League after UEFA opted to forfeit their final group clash against French club Stade Rennais. Forfeiting meant the result would be recorded as a 3-0 loss to Spurs, who eventually finished third in the group.

The match was scheduled for December 9, before it was postponed due to reports of Covid-19 cases at the London club.

Spurs and Vitesse Arnhem both wanted second place Group G to secure a spot in the playoff round. After the forfeit, Spurs finished third with seven points.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte said the club may appeal UEFA's decision to knock them out of the Europa Conference League and was confident of getting the verdict overturned.