The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Tuesday issued a temporary suspension notice to star wrestler Vinesh Phogat on grounds of indiscipline during the Tokyo Olympics 2020, reported news agency PTI. Vinesh is the cousin of champion wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat. 

The wrestling body has also issued a misconduct notice to National Games gold medalist Sonam Malik. 

According to PTI, Vinesh Phogat, who failed to earn a medal in the Olympics tournament, crashed out of the Tokyo Games in the quarterfinals after a crushing defeat by fall. The board has given Phogat time till August 16 to respond to the notice that talks of indiscipline on three counts.

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Vinesh refused to stay at Tokyo Olympic Games village upon arrival and train with her other Indian team members during the tournament, said a PTI report.

The officials who were present in Tokyo during the games told PTI that Vinesh had created scene when she was allotted a room with her Indian team-mates — Sonam, Anshu Malik and Seema Bisla. Vinesh argued that staying near her colleagues can expose her to coronavirus as the other wrestlers came directly from India.

The officials also told that Vinesh refused to rain with any of the Indian wrestlers and it appeared as if she had come with the Hungary team and had nothing to do with the Indian contingent.

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“One day when her timing clashed with the training timings of the Indian girls, she chose not to train at the same arena with them,” the official added.

The Arjuna Award winner also did not wear the name of the official sponsors of the Indian contingent, Shiv Naresh, and chose to wear a Nike singlet during her bouts.

“This is gross indiscipline. She has been suspended temporarily and barred from all wrestling activities. She can’t compete in any national or other domestic events until she files a reply and WFI takes a final decision,” a WFI source told PTI.

The source also added that owing to athlete’s misconduct WFI was pulled up by Indian Olympics Association (IOA) as to why can’t they control their athletes. IOA is issuing a notice to WFI in this regard.

As far as Sonam Malik is concerned, the officials told PTI that she or her family were supposed to collect their passport from the WFI office before leaving for Tokyo but the young wrestler order SAI to collect the same on her behalf.

“These kids think, they have become star wrestlers and are entitled to do anything. They have achieved nothing and are showing attitude. This will not be accepted,” the official added.