Sports fans claim they spotted Sir Mo Farah’s own coach saying ‘it’s a f****** con’ as the outsider was crowned Sports Personality of the Year.
The four-time Olympic champion was voted the winner despite his odds as a 50/1 outsider, with heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua the clear favourite in the run up.
During the live broadcast a camera appeared to show Gary Lough, the husband of Paula Radcliffe, saying that the win was a ‘f****** joke’.
During the live broadcast a camera appeared to show Gary Lough, the husband of Paula Radcliffe, saying that the win was a ‘f****** joke’
Twitter users said they saw the Olympic champion’s coach saying the win was a ‘f****** joke’
Farah received 83,524 of the votes, a third of what Andy Murray had last year, with Joshua fourth 10,000 votes behind.
Eagle eyed Twitter users were convinced Lough, who became Farah’s coach in October, swore in response to the win.
One wrote: ‘Love Paula Radcliffe’s husband mouthing ‘f****** joke’ as Mo Farah wins #SPOTY. Whatever could he mean?’
Another user said: ‘Was that Paula Radcliffe’s husband shaking his head in disgust?! #spoty.’
Gabby Logan introduces Sports Personality of the Year winner via video link alongside Gary Lineker and Clare Balding
Sir Mo Farah was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2017 and looked shocked at the announcement
Farah was with his four children when the cameras went to him for his live interview earlier in the programme, his young son grabbing his microphone and rendering his father inaudible.
He said: ‘To be honest, I genuinely thought I wasn’t going to win. We’ve got amazing sports people in the UK. I thought I could make the top three but you don’t think you’re going to win it. It means the world to me.’
The interview was cut short by the ongoing chaos engulfing Farah. He explained that his kids were ill, that one of them had ‘thrown up everywhere’, and he said he had to go because he needed to put his youngest to bed. At least they had a replica trophy there.
Sir Mo was not in attendance at the awards but daughter Rhianna was on hand to share the moment with him in London