Sports activities Character of the Yr presenter Gary Lineker has expressed his shock at Matt Fitzpatrick failing to make it onto the 2022 shortlist regardless of the golf star’s triumph on the US Open this 12 months.
The BBC introduced the six nominees for his or her annual award on Tuesday, with Beth Mead, Ben Stokes, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jessica Gadirova, Eve Muirhead and Jake Wightman all within the operating to be topped winner on Wednesday night time.
This 12 months’s shortlist has whipped up loads of controversy after plenty of profitable British athletes had been ignored, but no omission sparked as a lot outrage as Fitzpatrick.
Gary Lineker has questioned Matt Fitzpatrick’s omission from the SPOTY shortlist for 2022
Fitzpatrick turned solely the second Englishman to win the US Open since 1970 again in June
The English golfer claimed his first main by popping out on high on the US Open in June, when he surpassed fellow Brit Rory McIlroy on his approach to the title.
Nonetheless, regardless of turning into solely the second Englishman to assert victory on the match since 1970, there was nonetheless no room for him on the SPOTY shortlist.
Ian Poulter led the backlash in opposition to Fitzpatrick’s omission on Twitter, branding the awards ceremony a ‘continued farce and joke’ after additionally being snubbed for a spot on the shortlist in 2012 regardless of his starring position in Europe’s dramatic Ryder Cup win.
Justin Rose, the final English participant to win the US Open again in 2013, additionally questioned why the 28-year-old did not earn a spot amongst the six nominees.
And now Lineker, who is about to current SPOTY on Wednesday night, has change into the newest high-profile determine to counsel Fitzpatrick ought to have been included.
However after discovering the golf star had not made the lower, Lineker could not comprise his shock
Lineker, who hosts the annual awards ceremony, took to Twitter to query Fitzpatrick’s snub
Ian Poulter and Justin Rose additionally hit out on the resolution to omit Fitzpatrick on social media
The BBC host wrote on Twitter: ‘Beginning rehearsals for @BBCSPOTY and noticed the record of contenders doesn’t comprise @MattFitz94!’ together with two astonished-faced emojis.
A golfer has not been topped Sports activities Character of the Yr since Nick Faldo in 1989 after his first Masters victory.
Rose was shortlisted after profitable the US Open in 2013, solely to complete ninth out of the ten nominees, with the lower to 6 in the end proving pricey for Fitzpatrick.
Former BBC presenter Dan Walker was one other who highlighted Fitzpatrick’s omission, writing on Twitter: ‘I really like #SPOTY however I am shocked there isn’t any house on the shortlist for @MattFitz94 who had an unbelievable 12 months.’
Followers additionally questioned the choice, with one describing it as a ‘shame’ whereas one other mentioned it was a ‘sham’ that Fitzpatrick was omitted.
Ex-BBC presenter Dan Walker was one other who questioned Fitzpatrick failing to make the lower
Matthew Fieldsend wrote: ‘How on earth is @MattFitz94 not included within the nominations! Completely surprising. What number of majors does he have to win a 12 months to get a nomination. Clearly 1 on US soil simply is not ok apparently.’
Oli Hunt added: ‘Absolute shame that @MattFitz94 is not on this record. The BBC could not have the ability to broadcast a lot golf and Matt will not be there in individual, however the @BBCSport annual chilly shoulder to golf is embarrassing.’
Whereas @markg0366 commented: ‘#Spoty22 simply seen the shortlist I feel you have omitted @MattFitz94. I am merely assuming it is an add to the web site drawback however be nice to see it corrected speedily. Yours sincerely a diligent licence payer.’
Fitzpatrick was not the one sportsperson followers consider was unjustly excluded from the record, with many protesting in opposition to UFC star Leon Edwards’ absence.
Leon Edwards, who turned Britain’s second UFC champion again in August, was additionally ignored
Beth Mead leads the six nominees for the 2022 BBC Sports activities Character of the Yr award
Edwards secured one of many best last-minute knockouts in MMA historical past by flooring welterweight champion Kamaru Usman to the purpose of no return within the dying phases of a battle he was destined to lose on factors again in August.
But regardless of turning into Britain’s second UFC champion, like Fitzpatrick there was nonetheless no place for the 31-year-old on the SPOTY shortlist.
Mead, who impressed England’s soccer success on the Ladies’s European Championships this 12 months, is the overwhelming favorite to be topped winner.
