Vinesh Phogat stands up to Wrestling federation, refutes two charges and admits to one in reply

Lawyer Vidushpat Singhania clearly stated that Vinesh Phogat, who had tested COVID-19 positive in 2020, was ‘merely following COVID-19 quarantine rules & regulations as specified by the International Olympic Committee & government of Japan in the athletes playbook.

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who has been temporarily suspended by Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), sent her reply to the national federation. The 2018 Asian Games champion has refuted WFI on all their allegations apart from one – related to the wrong jersey she wore at the Tokyo Olympics. Vidushpat Singhania, who is the managing partner of Krida Legal, is the lawyer representing Vinesh Phogat against WFI. “While the Athlete deeply regrets not winning a medal, the Athlete believes she has been wrongfully accused of misconduct and indiscipline at the Tokyo Olympic Games Village (‘Olympic Village’). The Athlete respectfully refutes the allegations specified under the said Notice,” the reply quoted by Indian Express newspaper stated. “We are only answering the three allegations levelled against her in the show-cause notice so we did not go into the details of other logistics regarding the Olympics,” Singhania wrote. “The ball is now in WFI’s court, we are now waiting for their response.”