India appeals against ouster of boxer Vikas Krishan

Approaches Court of Arbitration for Sports after protest is rejected by International Boxing Association

I / London August 5, 2012, 10:48 IST

Its protest rejected by the International Boxing Association, India filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports against the controversial ouster of 69kg boxing medal hope Vikas Krishan from the Olympics here.

Acting Chef-de-Mission and Indian Boxing Federation Secretary General P K Muralidharan Raja said in a statement that India submitted a "preliminary complaint" in writing to the CAS in Switzerland yesterday against AIBA's decision to reverse Vikas' win over Errol Spence of USA in a welterweight pre-quarterfinal bout on Friday.

"We have submitted a preliminary complaint in writing to the CAS against the reversal of decision of bout no 142 between Vikas Krishan and Errol Spence of USA in 69kg wherein the Jury of AIBA reversed the decision of Vikas winning the bout and announcing it in favour of Errol Spence of USA," the release said.

"The counter appeal submitted by India to AIBA was not accepted by them on the grounds that their Jury has already reviewed the bout and given its decision. India's stance was that the fouls committed by Errol Spence in round 2 and 3 were not considered by AIBA and they only took into account the points lodged in the protest by USA.

"The appeal letter was sent to Matthiew Reeb, Secretary General, CAS at 1945 hrs on 4 August 2012. The weighing in and medical for quarterfinal bouts of 69kg will be held on 7 August 2012," the release further stated.

Stung by Vikas' ejection from the Olympics, the Indian boxing officials had filed a protest with AIBA, which was not accepted by the game's governing body.

Vikas was ousted from the Games after AIBA overturned the result of the bout he had won, following a review.

The 20-year-old had won 13-11 over Spence in a thrilling contest last night but following an appeal by his rival's team management, the AIBA awarded the bout 15-13 to the American citing the fouls committed by the Indian which were not noticed by the referee.