Commonwealth Sport has rejected allegations of racism made by Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul following his disqualification at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with organisers insisting the decision against him was a legitimate field-of-play ruling made under the competition’s officiating procedures.Abdul, who was disqualified during his super-heavyweight quarter-final against England’s Damar Thomas, claimed officials had treated him unfairly because he was “a black African”. His comments were later dismissed by Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare, who said athletes were treated fairly and without discrimination.The controversy followed a bout that ultimately guaranteed Thomas at least a bronze medal while ending Abdul’s hopes of securing Uganda’s first Commonwealth boxing medal since 1990.
Disqualification ends Abdul’s medal bid
The quarter-final became increasingly physical as it progressed.Abdul was first given a standing count during the opening round, resulting in a point deduction.He was then penalised again for repeatedly punching after the referee had called a break between the fighters.The contest came to an abrupt conclusion early in the third round when referee Manuel Vilarino of Argentina ruled that Abdul had headbutted Thomas while the pair were grappling.The decision resulted in Abdul’s immediate disqualification, sending Thomas through to the semi-finals and guaranteeing the England boxer at least a bronze medal.At the time of the stoppage, Abdul was trailing on all of the judges’ scorecards.
Abdul alleges unfair treatment
Speaking afterwards, Abdul disputed both the referee’s decision and the way the contest had been officiated.“Of course it’s unfair,” he said.“When you watch the previous fights of England, their boxers play a lot of bullshit. They cannot judge them wrong.“I took a light punch and they counted. I landed a heavy punch on him and they deducted my points and warned me.”Abdul then alleged that his nationality and background had influenced the officiating.“I’m a black African, I know,” he said.“It’s God’s plan. I don’t know why the officials are scared about this fight. Why can’t they let this fight continue?”He also insisted that the decisive incident was accidental.“He elbowed me. He caught me with the elbow. It [the head movement] was not intentional. I was trying to come back. How can I headbutt someone? I would not.”“He was the person they wanted to win. He was the winner before. I knew if I did not get knockout I could not win the fight.”BBC Sport also reported that, while answering questions after the contest, Abdul referred to Thomas using a racial slur.
Commonwealth Sport dismisses allegations
Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare rejected Abdul’s allegations, saying organisers had confidence in the integrity of the competition.Rukare, who is also from Uganda, told BBC Sport:“We at Commonwealth Sport believe every athlete is treated fairly and in a non-discriminatory manner.“We are inclusive. That was a field-of-play decision and something that was said in the heat of the moment.”He added that organisers believed the competition had been conducted fairly.“As far as we’re concerned, we have a good relationship with World Boxing, the athletes are treated fairly, so as far as we’re concerned it was a fair playing field.”Rukare also indicated that Abdul’s comments could be examined internally by the Ugandan delegation.“We have a team manager and chef de mission and I am sure the appropriate channels will be followed.“We have a code of conduct. I don’t represent Uganda here. I am sure that matter will be handled appropriately with our own code of conduct.”
Thomas turns attention to semi-final
Thomas admitted that advancing through a disqualification was not how he had hoped to reach the last four.“It’s not the way I wanted to win,” the England boxer said.“I can’t change what happened today but I can control how I box on Friday.”
Abdul’s family background drew attention before the Games
Before the tournament, Abdul attracted attention because he is the grandson of former Ugandan president Idi Amin.Ahead of the super-heavyweight competition, Abdul told BBC Sport that he wanted to become the new “King of Scotland”, referencing a title Idi Amin bestowed upon himself in 1976.Idi Amin ruled Uganda after seizing power in a military coup in 1971. His government has been widely documented by historians as being responsible for widespread human rights abuses, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of people were killed during his rule. He was also known by the nickname “the Butcher of Uganda.”Abdul has previously said he never met his grandfather. In an earlier interview, he also stated that he was “inspired” by Amin, although it was not made clear whether he was referring specifically to his grandfather’s boxing background or to other aspects of his life.Idi Amin himself had been a boxer before entering politics and developed a long-standing fascination with Scotland after serving with the King’s African Rifles. He was known for wearing kilts, playing the bagpipes and proclaiming himself “King of Scotland”, a title that later inspired the Oscar-winning film The Last King of Scotland.The boxer entered Glasgow 2026 aiming to secure Uganda’s first Commonwealth Games boxing medal since the Auckland Games in 1990, but his campaign instead ended in controversy following his disqualification and the subsequent rejection of his allegations by Commonwealth Sport.
