12 Sports Cheating Scandals Fans Will Never Forget
This is a look at some of the most infamous cheating scandals in sports history that shocked fans and changed the game.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Cheating in sports is nothing new, but some scandals have left a lasting mark on history. These moments made fans questions question everything they thought they knew about their favorite sports. Here are some of the most unforgettable sports cheating scandals that rocked the world.
1. The 1919 Black Sox Scandal
Charles Conlon on Wikimedia Commons
One of the earliest and infamous cases of game-fixing, the 1919 World Series saw eight Chicago White Sox players accused of conspiring with gamblers to throw the championship. The scandal forever changed the integrity of baseball and led to strict regulations to prevent future corruption.
2. Lance Armstrong’s Doping Scandal
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Once celebrated as a cycling icon, Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after a shocking doping admission. His downfall exposed a widespread culture of performance-enhancing drug use in professional cycling.
3. The 1982 Spain vs. West Germany “Shame if Gijon”
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In a notorious World Cup match, West Germany and Austria allegedly conspired to ensure both teams advanced, leading to a lackluster and suspiciously passive game. Fans and critics called it a disgrace, prompting FIFA to change future tournament formats.
4. Deflategate: Tom Brady and the Patriots
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The New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady were accused of using underinflated footballs during the 2015 AFC championship game. The controversy led to a lengthy investigation and a four-game suspension for Brady.
5. Ben Johnson’s Olympic Doping Scandal
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Sprinter Ben Johnson stunned the world with a record-breaking 100m dash in the 1988 Olympics, only to be stripped of his gold medal after testing positive for steroids. The scandal remains one of the biggest in Olympic history.
6. Maria Sharapova’s Meldonium Ban
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Tennis star Maria Sharapova tested positive for meldonium, a banned substance, in 2016. She received a two-year suspension, which was later reduced, but the scandal damaged her reputation and raised questions about drug use in tennis.
7. The Houston Astros Sign-Stealing Scandal
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The Astros were caught using cameras to steal the opposing team’s pitching signs during their 2017 championship run. While the team was fined and lost draft picks, many felt the punishment did not fit the level of deception.
8. The 2006 Italian Match-Fixing Scandal
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Several top Italian soccer clubs were implicated in a match-fixing scandal, which resulted in Juventus being stripped of its titles and relegated to a lower division. The scandal shook the sport and led to sweeping changes in Italian football.
9. The Russian Doping Scandal
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A state-sponsored doping program allowed Russian athletes to compete unfairly for years, culminating in bans from multiple Olympic events. The scandal led to significant reforms in anti-doping measures worldwide.
10. The Festina Cycling Scandal
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The 1998 Tour de France was overshadowed by a massive doping scandal when the Festina team was caught with large qualities of performance-enhancing drugs. The incident exposed how deeply doping was embedded in professional cycling.
11. The Sun Yang Swimming Ban
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Chinese swimmer Sun Yang received an eight-year ban after refusing a doping test, sparking major controversy. His case highlighted the growing scrutiny over drug testing in Olympic sports.
12. The Tim Donaghy NBA Betting Scandal
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NBA referee Tim Donaghy admitted to betting on games he officiated, influencing calls to affect the outcomes. The scandal raised concerns about the integrity of officiating in professional basketball.