Geoffrey Boycott denied knighthood over lover assault conviction in 1996

Geoffrey Boycott was reportedly denied knighthood by officials over his conviction nearly 20 years ago for assaulting his former lover.

A campaign to honour the cricket legend was backed by Home Secretary Theresa May and other MPs but it was blocked by civil servants because of his conviction in France for a domestic assault, the Mirror reported.

Fans have long referred to the batsman as "Sir Geoffrey" and hoped he would be officially be recognised in the New Year honours allowing him to join other cricketing knights such as Sir Ian Botham.

The 74-year-old received a three-month suspended sentence and a 5,300 pounds fine from a French court in 1996 after being convicted of punching his former lover Margaret Moore in the face.

However, the former Yorkshire and England cricketer has always denied hitting Moore and said she slipped and injured herself.

Yorkshire MP Nigel Adams lashed out at the officials for failing to recognise Boycott's contribution to sport, as he was the first Englishman to score more than 8,000 Test runs, as well as his charity work.