Monday, June 8, 2026
ADVT 
International

Sikh Man Kicked Out Of Wimbledon Queue For 'Making People Uncomfortable'

IANS, 13 Jul, 2016 12:45 PM
    A 20-year-old Sikh man was kicked out of an overnight queue to watch the Wimbledon tennis championships as he apparently made other people around him "uncomfortable".
     
    Govindpal Kooner took to Facebook last week to voice his anger at being thrown out and claimed it was an act of racism, cases of which have reported a rise in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the European Union (EU).
     
    He wrote on Friday: "Kicked out of the overnight camping line for centre court Wimbledon line 'because you make some people around you uncomfortable, so we're gonna have to report you and ask you to leave immediately, sir'".
     

    "Post-Brexit racism and the overt rise of neo-facism. Please advise how best to report this," he said.
     
    The sportsman who himself dreams of playing professional tennis was eventually allowed to enter the ground after re-queuing in the line a few hours later and made an official complaint about his treatment.
     
    "I felt awful. I felt like I should've fought and negotiated but I backed down and silently left. I don't feel like I'm ever going back now. It's still one of my favourite tournaments but can no longer definitively say it's a lifelong dream to play on centre court," he was quoted as saying by Metro.
     
    Dozens of people responded to his post saying he should report the "discrimination" to police.
     
    A Wimbledon spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a gentleman was asked to leave the queue at 4.42 am this morning (Friday) after a number of complaints from his fellow queuers about his behaviour."
     
    He has previously been warned about his conduct in The Queue on up to six separate occasions during this year's Championships.
     
    "We do acknowledge, however, that in this instance the event safety staff could have provided a better explanation to him. Happily, the same person has been in the Grounds today (Friday) watching the tennis," he said.
     
    But the man insists he did nothing that would warrant being escorted off the grounds, was not intoxicated, loud or aggressive and had not been previously warned about his behaviour.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Indian Labourer Jailed For Molesting Woman In Dubai

    Indian Labourer Jailed For Molesting Woman In Dubai
    The 27-year-old man was accused of groping a 35-year-old woman from Philippines in an inebriated state.

    Indian Labourer Jailed For Molesting Woman In Dubai

    Canadian Fighter Pilots Accused Of Killing Civilians In An Air Strike In Iraq

    Canadian Fighter Pilots Accused Of Killing Civilians In An Air Strike In Iraq
    The Globe and Mail says Canadian fighter pilots have been accused of killing civilians in a January air strike in Iraq, though it's unclear who is making the allegation.

    Canadian Fighter Pilots Accused Of Killing Civilians In An Air Strike In Iraq

    Indian Media In New Zealand In Soup Over 'Witch Doctor' Ads

      Thakur Ranjit Singh filed the complaint, on behalf of the Indian Media Watch New Zealand, over ads placed in various newspapers

    Indian Media In New Zealand In Soup Over 'Witch Doctor' Ads

    Seven Indians On Forbes Asia's List Of Philanthropists

    Seven Indians On Forbes Asia's List Of Philanthropists
    They highlight some of the region's most noteworthy givers from 13 countries across Asia Pacific.

    Seven Indians On Forbes Asia's List Of Philanthropists

    Former Centerra CEO Leonard Homeniuk Detained Again In Bulgaria Over Kyrgyz Corruption Allegations

    Former Centerra CEO Leonard Homeniuk Detained Again In Bulgaria Over Kyrgyz Corruption Allegations
    The company says Homeniuk was apprehended in late July while on vacation with his family at the request of Kyrgyzstan.

    Former Centerra CEO Leonard Homeniuk Detained Again In Bulgaria Over Kyrgyz Corruption Allegations

    Man Fires Shot At 'Billu's Indian Eatery' In Australia

    Man Fires Shot At 'Billu's Indian Eatery' In Australia
    An Indian restaurant in a suburb here witnessed gunfire when an unidentified gunman fired a shot, a media report said.

    Man Fires Shot At 'Billu's Indian Eatery' In Australia