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So another sports year is upon us – but it wasn’t always prime time.
In 2025 we saw Rory McIlroy win the Masters, the Lioness win the European Cup, the Red Roses claim their own World Cup title and Lando Norris lift his first F1 World Championship.
But we all make mistakes and no game is perfect – and again, 2025 has seen the same shame in the world of sports.
We call them the villains of the year.
Gianni Infantino
Even by FIFA standards, this has been a sorry year. The “FIFA Peace Prize: Football Unites the World” award was established to blatantly hang bling around the neck of US President Donald Trump after his election. Missed out on the Nobel Peace Prize. Infantino’s approach dragged FIFA to a new low and made a mockery of the World Cup draw itself, An embarrassing and confusing incident Infantino once brazenly claimed that FIFA “has been the official provider of human happiness for more than 100 years.” This comes after a summer in which Infantino’s alter-ego project was On full display at the Club World CupTrump took to the stage and handed out the trophy, a sign of what the World Cup might become. Speaking of, there is You saw the ticket prices Next summer’s game?
American Ryder Cup fans
The Ryder Cup is a special event with a unique atmosphere – but Insults aimed at European golfersRory McIlroy, in particular, might have even crossed the line at Bethpage Black on the Howling Straight. American golf fans can be loud and even obnoxious at the best of times. Filled with booze and Ryder Cup excitement and fueled by genuine vitriol from the visiting team, you’re left with a toxic mixture that resulted in vicious personal insults and the loss of McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll Caught in the crossfire. The PGA of America later apologized to McIlroy and Europe will decide to be more welcoming to the hosts when the Ryder Cup is played in Ireland and Adele Manor in 2027.
bazbol
With the Ashes losing 11 days in cricket, the Bazball strategy that had excited many a few years ago has irritated those who had high hopes for an away victory. Due to extraordinary batting failure and frustrating lack of preparation Beer in Noosa England’s general lack of contrition, fingers Already pointed directly to the spiritual direction Ben Stokes and Brendan McCallum side. Think of the England fans who flew to Perth for the opening Ashes Test that ended in two days, or those who spent their life savings staying out on a catastrophic trip in crashes in Brisbane and Adelaide, with Melbourne and Sydney also to come.
Christian Horner
lost In Red Bull power struggle A year later, he was sensationally sacked amid a personal scandal that engulfed the once-dominant F1 team. Horner was twice cleared of allegations of “inappropriate conduct” by a female colleague after two internal investigations, but he still lost his job and received a reported £80m in compensation. Since then, Max Verstappen has returned to the title race as Red Bull found form in the second half of the season, with the Dutch driver narrowly missing out on Lando Norris for the title despite falling 104 points behind in the summer.
Alexander Isaac
Isaac became a hero on Tyneside when he scored the goal that won Newcastle their first trophy in 1955 and led the team to the Champions League, but was replaced when he struck. Accused the club of breaking promises Tried to force a move to Liverpool. After a protracted transfer saga, the Premier League champions broke the British record £125m needed to sign Isaac on deadline day. But after he effectively bowed out of pre-season, Isaac struggled to get up to speed and looked a far cry from the player who scored 27 goals for Newcastle last season. However, he suffered a broken leg while scoring during Liverpool’s win over Tottenham Hotspur bad luck and shame.
Mary Earps
Earps dramatically retired after learning the news She gave up her spot to Hannah Hampton Leaving England’s defense heading into the Euros, their new number one goalkeepers are two inexperienced and unused goalkeepers. Thankfully, Lionesses Salina Wigman She made the right decision The Hamptons are ever-present and distinctive in Switzerland. Earps autobiography All inwhich Accused Wegman of rewarding “bad behavior” By recalling Hampton and labeling Wegman’s handling of the situation “bull—-,” Undoubtedly the PR disaster of the year.
Anthony Joshua
Joshua’s ‘slit throat’ gesture after knocking out YouTuber-turned-provocateur Jake Paul was just as embarrassing as seeing the two-time heavyweight world champion Chasing such a mismatched opponent in the ring Six disgraceful rounds in Miami. Joshua ended up breaking Paul’s jaw in two places when he gets a huge paydaybefore returning to boxing in 2026 for a long-awaited fight with Tyson Fury, but there is no winner in this dangerous circus and it’s sad to see a former champion sink so low.
Israel-Premier Tech
The cycling team has been a target of protests this year, particularly at the Vuelta a España, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked roads and resulting in two phases being cancelled.. Its owner, Canadian-Israeli billionaire Sylvan Adams, has refused to withdraw the Israeli Premier Tech team from the Vuelta a España despite disruptions to the event and over concerns for rider safety. “Self-appointed ambassador to Israel” Adams later announced his resignation from the team and Israel’s Prime Minister Tech It will be renamed NSN Cycling Team next year.
Michael Johnson
The legendary Olympian and popular face on BBC Sport has been embroiled in scandal after his Grand Slam athletics federation was unable to pay athletes. Johnson unveiled ambitious plans to transform track and field, promising an exciting new format and a $100,000 prize for the winner. But the final game of the season was canceled after a key investor pulled out, leaving key stars including Gabby Thomas, Sidney McLaughlin-Lefron and Josh Kerr Owed a six-figure sum. “The current inability to pay our athletes and partners is one of the most difficult challenges I have ever experienced,” Johnson said.
Idrissa Gay
You know what, it ended up being a decent laugh. Everton’s Gueye becomes third Premier League player to be sent off Fight with your teammates Early in the team’s away game against Manchester United, he slapped Michael Keane in an altercation over a poor pass. But in fact, Gueye’s slap was not a heavy punch. Everton with 10 men won 1-0 at Old Trafford anyway, and David Moyes says he likes what he sees. “I like my players to fight each other if someone doesn’t make the right move,” said Moyes, a beaming Scot. Gueye and Keane reconcile the next day Pretend to make a fist And hugs during training.
Axel Bertomeu
The biggest controversy in the Rugby World Cup: France’s back row was Caught biting Irish Aoife Wafe Wear it on your arm when pulling. Bertoumieux was suspended for France’s semi-final defeat to England, but her ban was reduced to nine weeks following an appeal. This is still less than the penalty South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth received with a 12-week ban Gouging Wales flanker Alex Mann’s eyes Another unpleasant incident occurred later this year.
