Talk » her contracts are worth so much and shes a major gl

Carl Frampton has questioned whether the BBCs Sports Personality of the Year is anti-Northern Ireland after he and other stars from the country were omitted from the awards shortlist.The Belfast boxer, who in 2016 unified super bantamweight world titles before moving up a division to win the WBA world featherweight title, claimed he would have been selected on the 16-strong list if he was English.Framptons remarks came as Democratic Unionist MP Ian Paisley vowed to raise concerns around the absence of Northern Ireland nominees at Westminster.As well as a regional basis, Frampton suggested the selection was also potentially anti-boxing.He also asked why two-time world Superbike champion Jonathan Rea from County Antrim and Team GBs most decorated Paralympian at Rio, Bethany Firth, were also omitted.Paralympians who won fewer medals in Brazil than the County Down swimmers haul of three golds and a silver did make the 16.I feel like I should have got on but Johnny Rea also had a shout, Bethany Firth as well also had a shout, said Frampton. And I think maybe what it looks to me is anti-boxing, maybe anti-Northern Ireland, who knows?But listen, I am not going to cry about it and Ill get on with my career.Frampton became the first boxer from Northern Ireland to win world titles at two different weights when he beat previously undefeated Mexican Leo Santa Cruz in New York in the summer.That featherweight victory came after he defeated Englands Scott Quigg in Manchester in February to unify two super bantamweight world titles.In an interview with BBC Radio Ulster, Frampton said he believed Andy Murray, who won nine titles in 2016 and became world number one for the first time, would be the clear winner of the award, but he said he still deserved to be among the nominees.I am slightly disappointed, I think, especially as they extended the list and there was no space for me, he said. I unified a title and I moved up and beat a three weight world champion -- both fights on the road as well.But Im not going to complain about that. I didnt get picked for whatever reason. I feel there are people on that list that I deserve to be on in front of.North Antrim MP Paisley has tabled an early day motion on the issue in the Commons.In response to the furore, a BBC spokeswoman said: In what has been an extraordinary year of sport, many contenders were considered and debated by an expert industry panel, who by consensus agreed on the shortlist.The issue was also raised on the floor of the Stormont Assembly.When asked for her thoughts concerning the lack of Northern Irish-born sports stars on the shortlist, the regions First Minister Arlene Foster replied: She is not amused.Foster also said Executive colleagues intended to challenge BBC management, adding that she believed there was a problem with the judging panel.Foster said: I think it is absolutely scandalous that someone of Carl Framptons ability, and indeed a double world champion, should be excluded.Another man who should have been thought of as well is Jonathan Rea, who again is a double world champion. What about Bethany Firth?And, indeed what about Michael McGovern, that man from Fermanagh who did sterling work for the Northern Ireland team during the Euros.I think there is a huge hole in relation to the Sports Personality of the Year, despite the fact that they have increased from 12 to 16, they have managed to leave out some of the very special sporting stars from Northern Ireland. Jerseys For Sale . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Fake Jerseys For Sale . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. https://www.jerseysforsalechina.com/ . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Stitched Jerseys For Sale . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. Authentic Jerseys For Sale . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams.The world of tennis has reacted with shock after Maria Sharapova revealed she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open. The former world No 1 and five-time Grand Slam champion announced in Los Angeles on Monday night that she had tested positive for a drug called meldonium, which was recently added to the banned list.Sky Sports tennis expert Annabel Croft told Sky Sports News HQ: The last 24 hours everybody has been gearing up for Maria retiring, thinking about her career and her utter ruthless determination shes shown towards her sport. Now this has thrown a spanner in the works. Its come as a complete shock. Knowing the character she is, she will fight it all and go about her business in an utterly professional way like she has done in her tennis.There will be discussions and meetings and a lot of waiting time. But in terms of the world of tennis it will be a massive shock. She is such a huge name in the world of tennis. Annabel Croft is blown away by Maria Sharapovas admission Sharapova, who became Wimbledon champion as a 17-year-old in 2004, admitted she does not know the possible sanctions she will face, although the Russian will be provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Federation from March 12.She is the highest-paid female athlete in world sport over the last 11 years, according to Forbes, having earned a large part of her income through sponsor endorsements and her own sweet business, Sugarpova.Asked whether a ban could curtail her career due to how old she would be when she returns, Croft added: When you look at what Serena Williams has achieved - shes 34 and still going strong - depending how long the ban will be, knowing the injuries shes had to face and how shes come back, I dont think it would be. Sharapova shock Maria Sharapova admits to failing a drugs test Shes such a professional.dddddddddddd Thats why its such a surprise its happened. If its a longer ban then it could be difficult.Her career has been perfect up until now. Shes one of the highest paid athletes and her contracts are worth so much and shes a major global star. Anything like this is not good for a brand but lets wait for more details of the case.Sky Sports tennis expert Barry Cowan was equally stunned and stated it was a valuable lesson for other athletes to learn that you are responsible for what you put in your body. Cowan said: Im shocked. Its an amazing sequence of events. Her attention to detail on and off the court is why Ive held her in such high esteem, but its been her undoing on this occasion and she will pay the consequences for it.I dont think it will tarnish her image or the sports image. Its right she will serve a ban but I think things will move quite quickly because she hasnt denied it. Barry Cowan says Sharapovas image will not be tarnished Martina Navratilova, 18-Grand Slam winner (@Martina) tweeted: Sharapova Announces That She Failed Doping Test - hope this gets cleared up as it seems 2 me to be an honest mistakeAndy Murrays former coach Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) tweeted: Still stunned that nobody on Shazza team checked new list from wada, players are responsible but this is big time oversight on team as wellBritish player Alex Ward (@AlexWard1990) tweeted: Whole tennis world currently googling meldoniumFormer UK No 1 Andrew Castle (@AndrewCastle63) tweeted: Whats Meldonium? Hold on. This is weird. Wada issue their list of banned substances and you dont look? Nor do management? Also See: Sharapova fails drugs test Sharapova drugs admission recap WTA Schedule Tennis on Sky ' ' '