BBC keeps Tyson Fury’s Sports Personality of the Year nomination despite online petition calling for his removal
The BBC are standing by its nomination of boxer Tyson Fury for Sports Personality of the Year, despite an online petition of more than 51,000 signatures calling for his removal from the shortlist.
Earlier in the week, Attitude reported Fury was among 12 male and female athletes up for recognition for a “successful contribution to British sporting achievement”.
Among controversial comments made by the 27-year-old includes his interview with Oliver Holt from The Mail on Sunday, in which he said, “there are only three things that need to be accomplished before the devil comes home”.
“One of them is homosexuality being legal in countries, one of them is abortion and the other is paedophilia,” he said.
“Who would have thought in the 50s and 60s that those first two would be legalised?
“When I say paedophiles could be made legal, it sounds crazy. But if I had said to you about the first two being made legal in the 50s, I would have been looked upon as a crazy man.”
The BBC is not budging on the nomination, and has said the “Sports Personality shortlist is compiled by a panel of industry experts and is based on an individual’s sporting achievement”.
“It is not an endorsement of an individual’s personal beliefs either by the BBC or members of the panel,” they said.
The statement echoes comments made to Attitude magazine last week, where a spokesperson again said that nominees for the title were decided on “sporting achievements” alone.
“As Fury became heavyweight champion of the world over the weekend, the panel feel that he should be a contender for this year’s award.”
Fury tweeted on Friday that he did not want to win the award: “Hopefully I don’t win @BBCSPOTY as I’m not the best roll model in the world for the kids, give it to someone who would appreciate it.”
Hopefully I don't win @BBCSPOTY as I'm not the best roll model in the world for the kids, give it to someone who would appreciate it, 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) December 4, 2015
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year award will be decided by public vote, and announced on December 20.
The shortlist also includes tennis star Andy Murray, Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton, and swimmer Adam Peaty.