Kick in the face has taekwondo fighting for Olympic survival

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — A kick in the face of a taekwondo referee by furious loser Angel Valodia Matos had officials in damage control Sunday as they tried to prop up a sport which is fighting for Olympic survival.

Controversy was the last thing Taekwondo needed in Beijing following angry scenes in Athens four years ago ignited by a storm of protests over refereeing decisions.

But Cuban fighter Matos played into the hands of critics at Beijing by kicking Swedish referee Chakir Chelbat as soon as he was sent off for taking too much injury time in the middle of a 80kg bronze medal bout.

Chelbat required stitches to a cut lip and the World Taekwondo Federation took immediate steps to place a lifetime ban on Matos, and acknowledged the damage to the sport.

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