Sarita Devi faces disciplinary action from AIBA

The International Boxing Association on Wednesday opened a  disciplinary case against Indian boxer Sarita Devi for refusing to accept the bronze medal at the the award ceremony during the 17th Asian Games.
 

The Technical Delegate supervisor David B. Francis has submitted a report to the Olympic Council of Asia regarding the case. 

 

While the (Amateur) International Boxing Association (AIBA) has been prompt in invoking its disciplinary action process to review Sarita’s case, it has been at the receiving end of criticism about reviewing complaints against allegedly biased decisions being taken in favour of host South Korea's pugilists. 

 

The decision will be made immediately after the Asian Games, AIBA said in a statement on its website.

 

“The whole incident looked like a well planned scenario by her and her team, and it is regretful to watch a boxer refuse the medal regardless of what happened in the competition," the statement said. 

 

"In this regard, as the Technical Delegate, I had to request Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to review this incident, so any boxer or athlete in other sports will not follow in her footsteps by respecting the spirit of fair-play and sportsmanship of the Olympic Movement.” 

 

The statement adds that the Indian team did not adhere to the technical rules of the AIBA, which doesn't allow  judges’ decisions to be challenged. The rules only allow protests against a referee’s decision and must be immediately submitted after the bout. 

 

“It was clear that the whole Indian Boxing Team were protesting the AIBA Referees and Judges’ system and management, which was obviously caused by a lack of understanding of the AIBA Technical and AOB Competition Rules, “ the statement reads. 

Update:  Sarita Devi has accepted the bronze medal after meeting IOA officials and contingent's chef de mission Adille Sumariwalla.