Tuesday, June 16, 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

    IS militants behead four children in Iraq

    IS militants behead four children in Iraq
    Sunni radical group Islamic State (IS) beheaded four Christian children in Iraq for refusing to convert to Islam, a media report said Monday....

    IS militants behead four children in Iraq

    Before Delhi, Uber taxi service faced trouble in Germany

    Before Delhi, Uber taxi service faced trouble in Germany
    International mobile cab-booking company, Uber, which has been banned by the Delhi government after one of its drivers was arrested on charges...

    Before Delhi, Uber taxi service faced trouble in Germany

    Nepal prevents airing TV show for satirising Modi

    Nepal prevents airing TV show for satirising Modi
    The Nepalese authorities have banned the telecast of a popular comedy TV show, "Tito Satya" (Bitter Truth), for reportedly satirizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Nepal prevents airing TV show for satirising Modi

    UK Politician Nigel Farage Criticized For Saying Breast-feeding Women Could 'Sit In Corner'

    UK Politician Nigel Farage Criticized For Saying Breast-feeding Women Could 'Sit In Corner'
    British politician Nigel Farage on Friday defended a hotel that insisted a breast-feeding mother cover up, suggesting women might "sit in the corner" while they feed their babies.

    UK Politician Nigel Farage Criticized For Saying Breast-feeding Women Could 'Sit In Corner'

    Reeva Steenkamp's Parents Call For Justice In Shrien Dewani Murder Trial

    Reeva Steenkamp's Parents Call For Justice In Shrien Dewani Murder Trial
    Barry and June Steenkamp, parents of Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot dead by athlete Oscar Pistorius, have called for justice in the Anni Dewani murder case.

    Reeva Steenkamp's Parents Call For Justice In Shrien Dewani Murder Trial

    Royal visit: Britain's Prince William to meet Obama at the White House

    Royal visit: Britain's Prince William to meet Obama at the White House
    The White House is getting some royal treatment.

    Royal visit: Britain's Prince William to meet Obama at the White House