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AIBA acknowledges "unwelcome axis of influence" at Rio 2016

The world governing body of amateur boxing has admitted that "unprofessional relationships" betwe...



AIBA acknowledges "unwelco...
Golf

AIBA acknowledges "unwelcome axis of influence" at Rio 2016

The world governing body of amateur boxing has admitted that "unprofessional relationships" between their management and judges undermined the boxing competitions at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

However, the AIBA (International Boxing Association) say a four-month independent review has found no evidence of interference in results of bouts.

Ireland's Michael Conlan had called the AIBA "cheats" after his controversial defeat to Russia's Vladimir Nikitin at the games.

His fight was one of a number that were scrutinised in regards to the judging.

The AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu commented on the findings of the Special Investigation Committee in a statement.

"AIBA defends the integrity of its expert R&Js who operate in difficult, subjective circumstances, but we have shown that we are also not afraid of making difficult decisions for the good of boxing," he said.

"An unwelcome axis of influence and sole decision-making had been created and used by former Senior Management that led to a lack of due process being carried out. We moved immediately to re-empower our commissions and use their expertise in order to decentralise the decision-making and re-establish our procedures.

"Whilst there is no evidence that this had a direct influence on results in Rio, if best practice is not followed 100% of the time by our officials and R&Js, that is unacceptable. The SIC have conducted a thorough investigation and many of their recommendations, including the disbanding of the 5-star R&J structure and placing control of the FOP back in the hands of the Tournament Supervisor, have already been put into place. These actions will ensure even greater consistency and transparency in our officiating as we head into the new Olympic Cycle."

The AIBA also outlined recommendations that they will implement including a "broad education programme" for boxers, judges and officials.

They also explained that the Referees and Judges stood down after the Rio 2016 Games will be reintegrated on a "case by case" basis and added that the decision to stand them down was "in no way an indication of their wrongdoing".

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