Tyson Fury is causing some debate after being added to the BBC’s 2015 Sports Personality Of The Year.
The new world heavyweight champ may be (quite shamelessly) tweeting how he deserves the award – but some sports fans believe he shouldn’t have even made the shortlist.
Some accuse the boxer of having homophobic views – something he strongly denies – which they argue should discount him as a role model to win the award.
The BBC should remove homophobic Tyson Fury from Sports Personality of the Year shortlist – Si… https://t.co/Kdfqx1Fbs1 via @UKChange
— Chris Down🏳️🌈 (@PlingetheElder) December 1, 2015
Just had press release about SPOTY nominations being role models. Would you describe Tyson Fury as role model? Drop the personality bit asap
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) December 1, 2015
https://twitter.com/desmarkie/status/671468329714982912
Despite the controversy, some fans have backed Fury for the award.
https://twitter.com/mujahidmiah/status/671670241693409280
https://twitter.com/DannyBurns_88/status/671667883106295808
@Tyson_Fury @BradGrayson39 he's easy got best personality by a country mile out the lot!!but no chance will they give it to him!💪💪
— Lee hayes (@leehaye21) December 1, 2015
https://twitter.com/miguelredders/status/671699540647526400
The prestigious award, won last year by Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, will be decided by public vote, with the winner to be announced at a gala event in The SSE Arena, Belfast, on Sunday, December 20.
From 10:00 GMT, we're looking at each nominee for BBC #SPOTY 2015. Tweet us #bbcsportsday https://t.co/UmSLqFcsyn pic.twitter.com/082L0W3ZHr
— BBCSPOTY (@BBCSPOTY) December 1, 2015