Cuban taekwondo athlete may earn lifetime ban for kicking ref. Your thoughts?

Question

Cuban taekwondo competitor Angel Matos and his coach, Leudis Gonzalez, may be permanently banned from Olympics competition after Matos kicked referee Chakir Chelbat. The altercation occurred when Matos was disqualified in the second round of his match with Kazakhstan's Arman Chilmanov.

Up 3-2 with a minute remaining, Matos fell to the ground and awaited medical attention when his one minute of injury time expired, thereby awarding the match to his adversary. From there, Matos snapped and created a scene straight out of the WWE handbook.

Matos angrily questioned the call, pushed a judge, then pushed and kicked referee Chakir Chelbat of Sweden. Matos then spat on the floor and was escorted out.

“He was too strict,” Gonzalez said, referring to the decision to disqualify Matos. Afterward, he charged the match was fixed, accusing the Kazakhs of offering him money.

In addition to the Olympics ruling, Matos and Gonzalez may be banned from all championships sanctioned by the World Taekwondo Federation. Matos' Beijing records may also be terminated

Answer 1

I think his coaches are to blame. They have an injury time clock and they need to watch it.

That being said, I think you can continue with a broken toe. He was standing up as time expired, and his trainers were getting ready to get off the mat. Not to mention he was leading 3-2.

The other guy starts celebrating like he knocked him out, when really he was losing.

By the letter of the law, the ref was right. But I know I would be pissed off too.

But....no matter how ticked I was, I would not have kick the ref in the face.

In contrast, Nigerian Bronze Medalist Chika Chukumerije was a class act throughout. Even bowing to the ref when receiving a deduction point. He was one of the most exciting fighters of the tournament too.

James

Answer 2

There's really nothing to discuss here.

You don't kick a referee in the face, as the athlete did.

And you don't accuse the ref of being paid off by the opponents without any evidence, as the coach did.

No matter what sport it is, the message needs to be sent out that this sort of despicable behavior will not be tolerated in the slightest.

.

Answer 3

personally, i think every once in a while a ref should publically kicked in the face just to show they arn't invincible.

Answer 4

haahahahahahah what a   a head  

Answer 5

He deserves everything he gets.

Answer 6

I heard that both the athlete and the coach are banned. I think it's fair for the athlete but not for the coach. The coach was talking a lot of c**p but i really don't think that's enough for a lifetime ban.

Answer 7

He kicked him without warning. Just paced back and forth, then BAM in the face. What a coward! Should be banned from the sport for life! Regardless of the politics involved, just lose with some dignity. Its well known that the Olympics are so political; if you don't agree with it, then just don't even bother joining. Martial Artist are disciplined and honourable;  this guy is a street brawler. Disgrace to the Taekwondo Spirit!  

Answer 8

its funny when you think about it. bet he did not see that one coming.

Answer 9

Bad sportsmanship and such actions as were exhibited there have no place in sports.

Be well.

Answer 10

I didn't see it and wasn't watching but have read up some on it. No matter how you look at it, the referee CAN win. I have gone through the same thing is wrestling. Got beat by the referee. The thing is though HOW you handle it. I think he was a very poor sport and should be banned for life. It sounds like someone who said he thought he was everything after the sydney games was right. Just because you do well once does not mean you are the best for all time. It only means you were the best at THAT time. Everyone can be beat! Maybe he needs to have some videos of womens gymnastics played for him and see how and what makes a real champion. Shawn Johnson is the perfect example of a real champion who did not end up with the gold. She was continuously scored low even though the spectators and audience can clearly see who won. She was cheated out of her gold at least one and possibly more. SHE STILL KEPT SMILING AND NEVER GAVE UP! You could tell she wanted to cry at age 16. She never did and always smiled. THAT IS A CHAMPION!!!!! I eally think he should spend some time in the china jail for assault. Refereeing in a lot of the different sports this year were very questionable.  

Answer 11

He deserves it.

Answer 12

personally if had a chair he could have done a audition for jerry springer, dems the breaks eh? you can challenge the call bicker or what have you with the judge but you don't' someone in the face, i always figured the martial arts were about being disciplined not having hissy fits