WFI issues show cause notice to Vinesh Phogat, bars her from Gonda ranking series event

NEW DELHI: In a major setback to Vinesh Phogat and her comeback endeavour nearly 20 months after her retirement following her dramatic disqualification at the Paris Olympics, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Saturday barred the star wrestler from competing in the Senior Open Ranking Series event in Gonda beginning May 10.In a 15-page long show cause notice, that detailed a litany of disciplinary and anti-doping related charges, the WFI said Vinesh would remain ineligible to compete in any WFI competitions and events till June 26, 2026. The federation also cited violations linked to retirement and return-to-competition regulations under United World Wrestling (UWW) rules. Vinesh’s event was scheduled on Tuesday, the last day of the event in Gonda — bastion of former WFI chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh against whom Vinesh and five other female wrestlers have filed sexual harassment complaints. She was due to compete in a new 57kg weight category.Vinesh’s event was scheduled on Tuesday, the last day of the event in Gonda — bastion of former WFI chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh against whom Vinesh and five other female wrestlers have filed sexual harassment complaints. She was due to compete in a new 57kg weight category.She has been asked to explain within 14 days from May 9, 2026 why disciplinary action should not be initiated against her.Vinesh’s husband and former freestyle wrestler Somvir Rathi told TOI that they are exploring legal options. “We have received the show cause notice, and are consulting our lawyers. We will soon decide our future action,” he said. It’s been learnt that Vinesh has arrived in Delhi to consult her lawyers after receiving the notice.Referring to a missed dope test dated Dec 18, 2025, which was notified by the International Testing Agency (ITA), the WFI accused the two-time World Championships medallist and three-time Olympian of several breaches, including violation of whereabouts submission requirements under UWW Anti-Doping Rules 2015, acts of indiscipline and conduct “prejudicial to the interest of the sport of wrestling and the WFI.”“Please take notice that should you fail to submit your written reply in the stipulated period of fourteen days or fail to avail the opportunity of personal hearing if and when offered, the federation shall be constrained to proceed ex-parte and pass such order as it may deem fit and proper on the basis of material on record,” the notice added.Among the allegations levelled against Vinesh were her failure to make weight at the Paris Olympics, which led to her disqualification, alleged violations of the WFI constitution, anti-doping rule breaches arising from whereabouts failures, and participation in two weight categories — 50kg and 53kg — during the selection trials held on March 11, 2024 at NIS Patiala, allegedly in violation of UWW competition rules.In its exhaustive notice, the federation noted: “By virtue of your registration as a wrestler with WFI and your participation under the Indian flag in international competitions, including the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad held at Paris in 2024, you are subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of WFI and are bound by the rules and regulations framed by WFI and UWW from time to time.“The WFI has reasons to believe, prima facie, that you have committed acts and omissions which are seriously prejudicial to the discipline, image, reputation, and interests of WFI, the Indian wrestling fraternity and the nation and which constitute violations of the WFI Constitution, the UWW International Wrestling Rules and the National Anti-Doping rules 2021,” read the notice.The notice further said that, “Post your disqualification at Paris 2024, the federation has received representations and is in possession of material indicating conduct on your part inconsistent with the dignity expected of a wrestler registered with WFI, including public statements and acts which have brought the federation and the sport into disrepute, attracting warning, caution, suspension and expulsion and un-sportsmanlike behaviour.”“Pending submission and consideration of your reply, on the basis of your letter/email dated Dec 12, 2025, your minimum requirement of six months period has not yet expired and as a consequence, you shall not be eligible to participate in any WFI competitions and events till June 26, 2026 including your ineligibility to participate in the Senior Open Ranking Series tournament at Nandini Nagar, Gonda from May 10-12 and any other forthcoming national ranking, selection and international competitions, in the wider interest of the sport and the federation,” the notice stated.