Sunday, June 21, 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

    US burger chain Carl's Jr. targets Indian foodies

    US burger chain Carl's Jr. targets Indian foodies
    California-based restaurant chain Carl's Jr., known for offering charbroiled burgers and freshly prepared menu items, is entering the Indian...

    US burger chain Carl's Jr. targets Indian foodies

    Preliminary report confirms MH17 was shot down over Ukraine

    Preliminary report confirms MH17 was shot down over Ukraine
    The preliminary report from the Dutch Safety Board on the causes of the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine in July with 298...

    Preliminary report confirms MH17 was shot down over Ukraine

    Obama vows continued cooperation with Iraq

    Obama vows continued cooperation with Iraq
    US President Barack Obama Monday pledged continued "close" cooperation with Iraq on combating the Islamic State (IS) militant group as the Middle...

    Obama vows continued cooperation with Iraq

    Neel Mukherjee shortlisted for 2014 Man Booker prize

    Neel Mukherjee shortlisted for 2014 Man Booker prize
    British-Indian writer Neel Mukherjee's family saga "The Lives of Others" has been shortlisted for 2014 Man Booker prize, it was announced Tuesday....

    Neel Mukherjee shortlisted for 2014 Man Booker prize

    'Modi visit to expand, deepen US-India strategic partnership'

    'Modi visit to expand, deepen US-India strategic partnership'
    President Barack Obama looks forward to welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 29-30, the White House announced...

    'Modi visit to expand, deepen US-India strategic partnership'

    Facebook's market value tops $200 bn

    Facebook's market value tops $200 bn
    The market value of the social networking site Facebook has crossed the $200 billion mark, making it the 22nd largest company in the world.,...

    Facebook's market value tops $200 bn