NOT for the first time, BBC Sport have been scrutinised for claiming an Irish sports star as one of their own.
Britain’s national broadcaster of the Olympic Games yesterday tweeted a story relating to Irish boxer Michael Conlan, who made headlines for his unsavoury exit from Rio.
The Belfast brawler represented Team Ireland at the Games, but not according to the BBC, who were forced to correct this gaffe below following an instant backlash, which was duly pointed out by Irish bookmakers Boylesports.
They're at it again @BBCSport ? @mickconlan11 ☘️ pic.twitter.com/rwD5NnLQje
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) August 23, 2016
Last year, BBC were forced to amend their story to confirm that MMA superstar Conor McGregor of Dublin was the ‘first UFC champion from the Republic of Ireland’ having initially claimed him as the first from the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Conlan, meanwhile, could face disciplinary action for his behaviour in Rio following his defeat to Russian Vladimir Nikitin, a fight he was adjudged to have lost by officials, much to the bafflement of the watching world and fighter himself.
In his post-fight interview, Conlan suggested world governing body International Boxing Association (AIBA) were “cheats” and AIBA’s president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu has since suggested "disciplinary action will follow”.
Conlan, though, plans to leave amateur boxing to pursue a career in the professional ranks.
