The Commonwealth Sports Authority has dismissed claims of racial discrimination against Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul after he was disqualified from the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with organizers insisting the decision against him was a legitimate on-field ruling based on match refereeing procedures.Abdul was disqualified in his super heavyweight quarter-final against England’s Damar Thomas, claiming officials were unfair to him because he was a “black African”. His comments were later dismissed by Commonwealth Sports chairman Donald Rukare, who said athletes were treated fairly and without discrimination.The controversy came after a fight that ultimately guaranteed Thomas at least a bronze medal and ended Abdul’s hopes of winning Uganda’s first Commonwealth boxing medal since 1990.
Abdul’s medal fight disqualified
The quarterfinals became more and more intense as the game progressed.Abdul was the first to receive a stop count in the first round, resulting in a point deduction.He was then punished again for throwing multiple punches after the referee called a break between fighters.The fight ended abruptly early in the third round when Argentinian referee Manuel Villarino ruled that Abdul had headbutted Thomas while the two were grappling.The decision resulted in Abdul’s immediate disqualification, advancing Thomas to the semi-finals and guaranteeing the English boxer at least a bronze medal.When play was paused, Abdul was trailing on all the judges’ scorecards.
Abdul alleges unfair treatment
Speaking after the game, Abdul took issue with the referee’s decision and the way the game was officiated.“Of course it’s not fair,” he said.“When you watch England’s previous games, their boxers fought a lot of crap. They cannot judge them wrongly.“I hit him lightly and they counted. I hit him hard and they docked my points and gave me a warning.”Abdul then claimed that his nationality and background influenced the officiating.“I know, I’m African,” he said.“This is God’s plan. I don’t know why officials are scared of this fight. Why can’t they let this fight continue?”He also insisted that the decisive event was accidental.“He elbowed me. He elbowed me. It [the head movement] Not on purpose. I’m trying to get back. How could I headbutt someone? I won’t. ““He’s the guy they want to win. He’s a winner before. I knew I couldn’t win this fight if I didn’t get knocked out.”BBC Sport It was also reported that Abdul used a racial slur when referring to Thomas while answering questions after the game.
Commonwealth Sports dismisses charges
Commonwealth Sports chairman Donald Rukare dismissed Abdul’s accusations, saying organizers were confident of the integrity of the competition.Rukare, also from Uganda, told BBC Sport:“We at Commonwealth Sports believe that every athlete is treated fairly and non-discriminatoryly.“We were inclusive. It was an on-field decision and it was said in the heat of the moment.”He added that organizers believed the competition was conducted fairly.“As far as we’re concerned, we have a good relationship with World Boxing and the athletes are treated fairly, so it’s a level playing field as far as we’re concerned.”Rukare also said the Ugandan delegation could conduct an internal review of Abdul’s comments.“We have a team manager and chief delegation leader and I’m sure we will follow the appropriate channels.“We have a code of conduct. I am not here to represent Uganda. I am sure the matter will be handled appropriately and in accordance with our own code of conduct.”
Thomas turns attention to semifinals
Thomas admitted that advancing via disqualification was not the way he wanted to reach the Final Four.“This is not the way I want to win,” the English boxer said.“I can’t change what happened today, but I can control what happens in boxing on Friday.”
Abdul’s family background drew attention before game
Before the game, Abdul attracted much attention because he is the grandson of former Ugandan president Idi Amin.Ahead of the super heavyweight bout, Abdul told BBC Sport he wanted to become the new “King of Scotland”, referencing the title bestowed upon him by Idi Amin in 1976.Idi Amin ruled Uganda after seizing power in a 1971 military coup. Historians have widely documented that his government was responsible for widespread human rights abuses, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of people were killed during his rule. He was also known as the “Butcher of Uganda”.Abdul has previously said he never met his grandfather. In an earlier interview, he also said he was “inspired” by Amin, although it was not made clear whether he was specifically referring to his grandfather’s boxing background or other aspects of his life.Idi Amin himself was a boxer before entering politics and developed a long-term fascination with Scotland after serving in the King’s African Rifles. He was known for wearing a kilt, playing bagpipes and calling himself “King of Scotland,” a title that later inspired the Oscar-winning film “The Last King of Scotland.”The boxer entered the 2026 Glasgow Olympics aiming to win Uganda a first Commonwealth Games boxing medal since Auckland 1990, but his campaign ended amid controversy when he was disqualified and Commonwealth Sports subsequently dismissed his claims.
