“Not the one to talk about violence” – Andrey Rublev trashed by fans after his message criticizing Imane Khalif goes viral

Fans have slammed Andrey Rublev for criticizing Imane Khelif's participation in women's boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Not the one to talk about violence” – Andrey Rublev trashed by fans after his message criticizing Imane Khalif goes viral

L: Andrey Rublev, R: Imane Khelif in red and Angela Carini in blue (Via Imago)

Russia’s tennis star Andrey Rublev slammed Algeria’s Imane Khelif for shattering the dreams of Italy’s Angela Carini in the 66-kg category of women’s boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Khelif’s Round of 16 victory has remained controversial after revelations about the athlete’s failed gender eligibility test at a boxing event came to the limelight.

Khelif was disqualified from the World Boxing Championship in New Delhi last year after an International Boxing Association test result revealed a high level of testosterone. Despite that, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed the athlete to compete in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics.

On Thursday (August 1), Khelif and Carini exchanged a few blows before the latter quit just 46 seconds into the bout. Khelif’s two punches on Carini’s face dislodged her headgear, who also complained of severe nose pain. After the Algerian was declared the winner, the Italian was in tears and refused to shake hands with her opponent.

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With several fans and sports lovers blaming the IOC for allowing Khelif to compete, Rublev was furious about the match stressing the importance of protecting women.

And now on the biggest and most important sporting event - the Olympic Games - we see a man who identifies himself as a woman is hitting woman (saying it’s equal rights boxing) and no one is stopping this.
Andrey Rublev said on Instagram

On Tuesday, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams defended Imane Khelif‘s right to compete in women’s boxing. He stated that she was fully eligible to compete in women’s events at the Olympics.

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Fans trash Andrey Rublev for talking about violence towards women after defending Alexander Zverev

Fans on social media took a dig at Andrey Rublev for slamming Imane Khelif and the IOC. Rublev had previously defended his fellow tennis player Alexander Zverev who was alleged to have physically assaulted his former girlfriend. The German denied the allegation and appealed for a trial after being fined €450,000 ($478,000).

Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev (Image via Imago)

The trial lasted only three days and was settled outside the court. Fans revealed that after defending Zverev, he is not in the right position to talk about violence against women.

He's not the one to talk about violence.
A fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Here are some other fan reactions:

Rublev has made it to the quarterfinals of the Citi Open in Washington DC after withdrawing from the Paris Olympics.

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