Tyson Fury’s SPOTY snub causes headache as BBC face being unable to hand prestigious award to winner for the first time in 60 years
- Fury was named as a contender for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year
- The world heavyweight champion joined the likes of Lewis Hamilton on the list
- But the Gypsy King called on the BBC to remove him from the list in a video
- SPOTY producers hope he will change his mind and take part on December 20.
The BBC face the embarrassment of having to hand the Sports Personality of the Year trophy to someone on Tyson Fury’s behalf if the boxer is voted the winner.
Heavyweight champion Fury bizarrely asked to be taken off the six-person shortlist on Wednesday but his request has been refused by the Beeb.
SPOTY producers hope the 32-year-old will change his mind and participate in the live programme on December 20.
Tyson Fury had called on the BBC to take him off the list of contenders for this year’s SPOTY
Heavyweight champion Fury bizarrely asked to be taken off the six-person shortlist
But Fury’s current stance is causing a headache as it would mean the show’s hosts are not able to interview him on the night or present him with a prize should he finish in the top three.
Although the main award has been presented via video link on a handful of occasions, Fury would be the first winner in more than 60 years not to pick it up himself.
Meanwhile, the BBC have surprisingly shortlisted a cage fighter for their World Sport Star of the Year award.
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has been nominated, alongside Masters champion Dustin Johnson, LA Lakers superstar LeBron James, Irish boxer Katie Taylor, French footballer Wendie Renard and world record-breaking pole vaulter Armand Duplantis.
Lewis Hamilton is the bookies’ favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award
Ben Stokes won last year’s award, voted for by a public vote during the show on the night