# Controversial

This year

2023

# Controversial

IOC gives green light for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in Paris

Russian and Belarusian athletes will have to compete under a neutral flag at the 2024 Olympics.

3.0k

Jan 25th 2023, 9:15 PM

# Celtic Symphony

Leinster Rugby apologise for 'any offence caused' after controversial Wolfe Tones song played at RDS

The Wolfe Tones song Celtic Symphony was played followed Leinster’s URC win against Connacht tonight.

28.1k

Jan 1st 2023, 10:45 PM

Last year

2022

# Controversial

Portugal boss explains decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo

Fernando Santos insists the call to leave the former Man United star on the bench was ‘purely strategic’.

19.3k

Dec 6th 2022, 10:26 PM

# Controversial

Galway ring road: Minister says transport plans must include climate as planning permission axed

The green light had been given to the contentious proposal last year.

53.5k

108

Updated

Oct 14th 2022, 6:02 PM

# Controversial

Bosnia decision to play Russia friendly sparks backlash

Bosnia’s national football federation has accepted an offer from the Russian federation to play a friendly on November 19.

52.8k

Sep 9th 2022, 10:29 PM

# Controversial

Premier League asks PGMOL to review VAR decisions at Chelsea and Newcastle

West Ham were denied a late equaliser at Stamford Bridge while a Tyrick Mitchell own goal was chalked off at St James’ Park.

9.4k

Sep 4th 2022, 4:33 PM

# Controversial

'I don't think they should drop the hammer' - McIlroy understands why golfers joined Saudi tour

The 33-year-old reiterated that he has no plans to play in the Liv Golf Invitational Series.

6.2k

Jun 1st 2022, 4:47 PM

# scrutiny

Wayne Rooney may be in trouble over controversial comments

The former Manchester United player admitted he changed his studs to ‘big, long metal ones to try and hurt someone’.

21.3k

Feb 8th 2022, 11:38 PM

All time

# Controversial

PSG scrape victory with late Mbappe penalty

PSG had to come from behind against Angers, with Danilo Pereira heading in the equaliser.

3.6k

Oct 15th 2021, 10:48 PM

# Controversial

'There was no plan B' - The Lions Test series won't have a neutral TMO

South African official Marius Jonker will be the television match official.

9.3k

Jul 23rd 2021, 8:47 AM

# Controversial

Premier League fights back against reports of Super League breakaway

The Champions League is set for a reform.

49.8k

Updated

Apr 18th 2021, 4:42 PM

# Boost

Real Madrid in sight of Champions League quarters after controversial red card

Ferland Mendy scored late as the Spanish side beat 10-man Atalanta.

4.5k

Feb 24th 2021, 10:35 PM

# Wave Goodbye

Controversial Premier League pay-per-view model looks set to end

Fans needed to pay £14.95 to watch games not selected for regular television broadcast in the UK.

5.3k

Nov 5th 2020, 10:45 PM

# Reaction

Jose Mourinho defends Harry Kane over controversial penalty incident

The Portuguese coach launched an impassioned defence of the striker’s actions.

8.1k

Nov 4th 2020, 1:41 PM

# Legislation

Dozens protest outside Áras an Uachtaráin over Mother and Baby Homes Bill

President Michael D Higgins yesterday signed the Bill into law.

48.6k

Oct 26th 2020, 6:53 PM

# Return

'We’ve repaired our differences' - Nathan Jones returns to Luton after controversial exit

The former Stoke boss has returned to the club he departed 16 months ago.

3.6k

May 28th 2020, 2:22 PM

# Controversial

Quiz: Do you remember the details of these controversial TV moments?

Won’t somebody please think of the children?

51.4k

May 21st 2020, 9:30 PM

# Controversial

Barcelona sign ex-Middlesbrough forward Braithwaite on emergency deal

The Denmark international has joined from Leganes, who have not been permitted to replace him.

6.7k

Feb 20th 2020, 10:47 AM

# Controversial

Councillors reject motion to have support for O'Devaney Gardens redevelopment project rescinded

The O’Devaney project will see a number of new homes developed, including social and affordable housing.

13.3k

Dec 2nd 2019, 10:20 PM

# Tweets

'Hiding isn't going to make it go away': Fine Gael Ministers call on Clifford-Lee to apologise over social media comments

Lorraine Clifford-Lee has come under fire in recent days over controversial tweets she posted in the past.

25.4k

Updated

Nov 12th 2019, 5:23 PM

# Controversial

Former QPR boss Holloway clarifies controversial remarks equating Brexit with football

The Sky pundit has come under fire for comments about Gabriel Jesus’ last-minute disallowed goal in the 2-2 draw with Spurs.

42.8k

Aug 21st 2019, 3:41 PM

# clash on the dunes

Promoter defends controversial decision to bring Ruiz-Joshua rematch to Saudi Arabia

Eddie Hearn has been criticised for choosing a country with an ‘abysmal human rights record’ for the latest world heavyweight title fight.

23.4k

Aug 12th 2019, 5:04 PM

# Big call

Irish referee in the spotlight after NY Red Bulls snatch controversial winner in Hudson River derby

Alan Kelly appeared to overrule his linesman in a sequence of play, which led to the home side’s crucial second-half goal.

6.3k

Jul 15th 2019, 10:50 AM

# Controversial

Verstappen ends Mercedes run but stewards investigate

The Dutchman’s dramatic overtaking move was immediately announced as under investigation by the officials.

8.7k

Jun 30th 2019, 4:29 PM

# Controversial

'They're throwing a lot of money on the table and at the end of the day, we're prizefighters'

Former world champion boxer Amir Khan has defended his decision to fight in Saudi Arabia despite concerns over human rights in the country.

8.6k

Jun 6th 2019, 6:42 PM

# Controversial

Cheika gives evidence at Folau 'anti-gay' hearing

The 30-year-old was informed last month of plans to terminate his multi-year, multi-million-dollar deal after he posted on social media that ‘hell awaits’ homosexuals.

10.9k

Updated

May 4th 2019, 10:37 AM

# Controversial

Controversial Hernandez strike helps West Ham push Fulham closer to relegation trapdoor

Fulham failed to capitalise on an early lead as Claudio Ranieri’s side slumped to another Premier League loss.

6.1k

Feb 22nd 2019, 10:25 PM

# Controversial

Rio Ferdinand throws his support behind Newcastle owner Mike Ashley over club sale talks

The BT Sport pundit was speaking ahead of Newcastle’s match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

15.3k

Jan 12th 2019, 9:03 PM

# Controversial

Tel Aviv chosen ahead of Jerusalem to host Eurovision 2019

The more controversial choice of Jerusalem was rejected in favour of Tel Aviv.

15.5k

Sep 13th 2018, 3:57 PM

# Argument

Gary Neville embroiled in Twitter row after controversial signing of Irish striker

Adam Rooney’s move from Aberdeen to Salford has provoked plenty of debate.

22.0k

Jul 20th 2018, 1:44 PM

# Have your say

Did the officials make the right call? Controversial VAR decision boosts France

Croatia were left feeling hard done by in this afternoon’s World Cup final.

11.2k

Jul 15th 2018, 4:54 PM

# Miami

Controversial chart-topping rapper XXXTentacion shot dead in Florida

The rapper, whose lyrics were filled with insecurity and his real life marred by violence, was gunned down in broad daylight.

69.2k

Jun 19th 2018, 7:06 AM

# Controversial

Italian parents who named their son Benito Mussolini receive court summons

The 14-month-old has a rather famous namesake.

47.4k

May 25th 2018, 9:42 PM

# polish finish

Legia Warsaw win Polish championship in dramatic circumstances after final game abandoned

The title-winners finished three points ahead of former Irish international Cillian Sheridan’s Jagiellona Białystok.

6.8k

May 21st 2018, 11:44 AM

# official business

South African Berry installed as referee for Leinster v Munster

The official in his first season in the league will be assisted by Welsh touch judges.

6.5k

May 15th 2018, 10:42 AM

# RETORT

Pochettino says the FA's controversial Harry Kane tweet was 'embarrassing'

The Tottenham boss has criticised the Football Association for a joke about their FA Cup semi-final defeat.

7.0k

Apr 27th 2018, 7:27 PM

# Controversial

Caster Semenya could be affected by new rules for female athletes with high testosterone levels

The controversial move has been seen as targeting the double Olympic 800m champion.

4.5k

Apr 26th 2018, 1:50 PM

# Punishment

Cork striker receives one-match ban after controversial red card

Graham Cummins was dismissed against St Patrick’s Athletic last week.

4.2k

Feb 22nd 2018, 2:08 PM

# Unimpressed

Jurgen Klopp fuming after Harry Kane penalty denies Liverpool

The Reds boss confronted Jon Moss on the pitch at full-time.

12.4k

Feb 4th 2018, 7:25 PM

# Controversial

'I think it is normal' - Klopp defends VAR after controversies in West Brom loss

After long delays while officials consulted VAR during Saturday’s FA Cup exit, Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp defended the system.

7.1k

Jan 28th 2018, 10:34 AM