Referees, judges involved in contentious decisions removed

International Boxing Association (AIBA) has confirmed that some referees and judges involved in contentious decisions at the Rio Olympics will play no further part in the Games.

Published : Aug 17, 2016 22:37 IST

One of the most high-profile cases involved Ireland's Michael Conlan (in pic), who lost by unanimous decision to Russia's Vladimir Nikitin in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight competition on Tuesday.
One of the most high-profile cases involved Ireland's Michael Conlan (in pic), who lost by unanimous decision to Russia's Vladimir Nikitin in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight competition on Tuesday.
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One of the most high-profile cases involved Ireland's Michael Conlan (in pic), who lost by unanimous decision to Russia's Vladimir Nikitin in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight competition on Tuesday.

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has confirmed that some referees and judges involved in contentious decisions at the Rio Olympics will play no further part in the Games.

AIBA did not confirm which officials had been omitted from the remainder of the Games, but boxing in Rio has been subject to several controversial calls.

One of the most high-profile cases involved Ireland's Michael Conlan, who lost by unanimous decision to Russia's Vladimir Nikitin in the quarter-finals of the bantamweight competition on Tuesday.

Conlan responded to the loss by telling RTE: "I was here to win Olympic gold, my dream's been shattered now. But you know what, I've a big career ahead of me and these ones, they're known for being cheats and they'll always be cheats.

"Amateur boxing stinks from the core to the top."

Kazakhstan's Vasiliy Levit was also subject to a contentious defeat to Russia's Evgeny Tishchenko in the men's heavyweight final on Monday.

AIBA insists all results at the Games will stand, but has moved to act on the controversies.

An AIBA statement read: "Following recent judging decisions and after carrying out a thorough examination by the relevant Commission, AIBA has decided to take immediate and appropriate actions.

"Since the beginning of the Olympic Games, AIBA has conducted 239 bouts.  The AIBA R&J Commission has reviewed all decisions and determined that less than a handful of the decisions were not at the level expected and consequently it has been decided in accordance with the AIBA R&J evaluation committee that the concerned referees and judges will no longer officiate at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In accordance with AIBA Rules the result of all the bouts will stand."

However, AIBA has rejected claims of corruption and says it will only act if solid proof of wrongdoing is put forward.

"With regard to corruption, we would like to strongly restate that unless tangible proof is put forward, not rumours, we will continue to use any means, including legal or disciplinary actions to protect our sport and its R&J community whose integrity is constantly put into question," the statement added. 

"The organisation will not be deterred by subjective judgements made by discontented parties. We welcome all parties to come forward and provide evidence in order to take appropriate and immediate action."

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