31/12/2025

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WEDNESDAY | DEC 31, 2025

Malaysian Paper

Villains of the year From Bazball to Fifa, 2025 saw its far share of ignominy

Ű BY JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

the very ethos of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s side. Spare a thought for the England fans who flew out to Perth for an opening Ashes Test that was wrapped up inside two days, or those who have spent life savings staying out for the car crashes of Brisbane and Adelaide in what has been a disastrous tour. 4. Christian Horner Lost out in the Red Bull power struggle and was sensationally sacked a year on from the personal scandal that engulfed the once dominant F1 team. Following two internal investigations, Horner was twice cleared after allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” from a female colleague but lost his job anyway and received a reported payout of £80 million (RM464m). From there, Max Verstappen launched himself back into the title fight as Red Bull found form over the second half of the sea son, with the Dutch driver narrowly missing out on beating Lando Norris to the title despite being 104 points behind in the sum mer. 5. Alexander Isak Isak became a hero on Tyneside after scoring the goal that sealed Newcastle’s first silverware since 1955 and leading their charge towards the Champions League but traded that in as he went on strike and accused the club of broken promises in an attempt to force through a move to Liverpool. After a protracted transfer saga, the Premier League champions stumped up the British record £125 million (RM725m) required to sign Isak on deadline day. But after he effectively sidelined himself from pre-season, Isak struggled to get up to speed and looked a shadow of the player who scored 27 goals for Newcastle last cam paign. Nevertheless, suffering a broken leg while scoring in Liverpool’s win at Tottenham was rotten luck and a huge shame. Isak went from hero to zero on Tyneside – and now faces a spell on the side lines after suffering a horrendous injury 6. Idrissa Gueye You know what, this ended up being a decent laugh. Everton’s Gueye became just the third Premier League player to be sent off for fighting with his own teammate after he slapped Michael Keane following a dis agreement over a loose pass in the early stages of his side’s trip to Manchester United. But, actually, Gueye’s slap was hardly a punch, 10-man Everton managed to win 1-0 at Old Trafford anyway, and David Moyes said he liked what he saw. Gueye and Keane made up the following day with a display of pretend fistycuffs and a hug in training. The Independent

Fifa president Gianni Infantino (left and US president Donald Trump.

S O another sporting year is in the books – and it was not always golden. In 2025 we saw Rory McIlroy win the Masters and Lando Norris lift his first F1 world championship. But we all make mistakes, no perform ance is ever perfect – and, similarly, 2025 witnessed its fair share of ignominy in the sporting world as well. We’re calling them our villains of the year. 1. Gianni Infantino Even by Fifa’s standards, this was a sorry year. The “Fifa Peace Prize: Football Unites the World” award was made up in a blatant attempt to hang something gold and shiny around Donald Trump’s neck after the US President missed out on the Nobel Peace Prize. In doing so, Infantino dragged Fifa to a new low and made a mockery of the World Cup draw, which was, in itself, a cringey and shambolic affair where Infantino had the bluster to claim that Fifa have been “the offi cial happiness provider for humanity for over 100 years”. This came after Infantino’s other ego pro ject was on full display at the Club World Cup, as Trump marched onto the stage and presented the trophy in a worrying fore shadowing of what the World Cup could be allowed to become. Speaking of, have you seen the prices of the tickets for next year’s tournament? 2. US Ryder Cup fans The Ryder Cup is a special event with a unique atmosphere – but the abuse directed at Europe’s golfers, particularly Rory McIlroy, went so far across the line at Bethpage Black that it may as well have been at Whistling Straights. American golf fans are loud at obnoxious at the best of times; loaded up with alcohol and Ryder Cup excitement, and fuelled by what felt like genuine vitriol for the visiting side, and you are left with a toxic concoction that led to vicious personal insults and McIlroy’s wife Erica Stoll being caught in the crossfire. The PGA of America apologised to McIlroy in the aftermath and Europe will be determined to be more welcoming hosts when the Ryder Cup heads to Ireland and Adare Manor in 2027. 3. Bazball With the Ashes lost in 11 days of cricket, the Bazball approach that thrilled and invigorated so many just a couple of years ago has instead infuriated those who had such high hopes of a long-awaited away win. From the extraordinary batting collapses and a dismal lack of preparation to the beers in Noosa and a general lack of contri tion from the England team, the finger has been pointed squarely in the direction of

Dec 5, 2025; Washing ton, District of Colum bia, USA; FIFA presi dent Gianni Infantino, United States president Donald Trump, Mexico president Claudia

2025 Ryder Cup fan taking photos of Rory McIlroy with thier phones.

Everton’s Idrissa Gueye (left) and teammate Michael Keane.

Liverpool’s Alexander Isak.

Christian Horner

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