“As with all allegations of hate crime we are taking the matter extremely seriously and will be attending the victim’s address to take a statement in due course”.
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He wrote online: “My employer is hurting me and other gay people by celebrating someone who considers me no better than a paedophile and who believes homosexual people are helping to bring about the end of the world”.
At the heart of the complaints are comments made in an interview given by Fury to the Mail on Sunday’s Oliver Holt, in which he likened the legalisation of homosexuality and abortion to legalising paedophilia.
A spokesperson said: “The Sports Personality shortlist is compiled by a panel of industry experts and is based on an individual’s sporting achievement – it is not an endorsement of an individual’s personal beliefs either by the BBC or members of the panel”.
Peter Fury, the champion’s uncle and trainer, said at the time: “If they want to take the belt from us in such pathetic and disgusting circumstances, that will result in a public and embarrassing display for the IBF, that’s for sure”. “I can actually say I don’t hate anybody”.
He added: “Make no mistake, I am not insulted by this as a gay person, I’m not insulted by this as a feminist, I’m insulted by this as an athlete, because I think athletes have a larger responsibility. What a man does in his own home and with his own people is his own problems”.
Tyson Fury has been branded a “dickhead” by a BBC presenter live on air as more than 100,000 people signed a petition calling for the boxer’s removal from the Sports Personality Of The Year shortlist.
However he lost the IBF title belt less than two weeks after winning after refusing to fight mandatory opponent Vyacheslav Glazkov, to focus instead on a rematch with Ukrainian Klitschko.
“The Gypsy King, & the heavyweight champion of the world, will not be silenced I’ll always speak my mind, Like it or lump it, in Jesus name”.
The BBC says Fury’s inclusion did not mean SPOTY endorsed the boxer’s personal views, but the firestorm engulfing Fury shows no sign of going away.
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Fury is contractually obliged to face Klitschko (64-4-KO53) in a rematch as it stands and has already been called out by current WBC champion Deontay Wilder, while rising star Anthony Joshua has also stated he believes he has what it takes to take his belts.
