Caught on Camera: Shady Tactics of These 10 Athletes Were Exposed on Live TV

When athletes were caught cutting corners on live TV

In the competitive world of sports, athletes tend to push the boundaries, but sometimes end up crossing the line between fair play and foul tactics. From golf courses to hockey rinks, and baseball diamonds to soccer fields, such incidents caught on camera, shocked fans and blemished the game's history. Let's delve into a series of notable instances where athletes found themselves at the center of controversy.

Patrick Reed

Patrick Reed, known for his controversial actions on the golf course, faced a cheating allegation in the third round of the 2019 Hero World Challenge. During this event, Reed was captured practicing his swing in a bunker but upon closer inspection, it was evident that he was purposefully clearing sand to improve his shot, and received a two-stroke penalty for his actions.

Simon Dyson

During the 2013 BMW Masters tournament held in Shanghai, golfer Simon Dyson found himself in a controversy, when he was observed using his golf ball to press down a spike mark in the path of a putt. To make matters worse, he failed to add a two-shot penalty to his scorecard and submitted an incorrect score, which consequently led to his disqualification from the tournament. He faced a significant fine of $49,000 and initially received a two-month suspension, which was later modified to an 18-month probationary period. While Dyson expressed regret for the incident, he didn't admit wrongdoing, and called his actions an "accidental mistake."

Rivaldo Ferreira 

During a 2002 World Cup group match between Brazil and Turkey, there was a notable incident involving Rivaldo Ferreira and Hakan Unsal. When Unsal kicked the ball toward Ferreira, it made contact with his shin but Ferreira dramatically fell to the ground while clutching his face. Since Unsal already had a yellow card, he was red-carded and sent off by the referee for this incident. However, a review by the World Cup's disciplinary committee revealed that Ferreira had dived, and this led to a fine for his actions. Although Ferreira later admitted to his dubious tactics, he still argued that Unsal deserved the red card regardless.

Sammy Sosa

In a 2003 matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays, Sammy Sosa made contact with the ball so forcefully that his bat snapped in two. Umpires conducted an investigation into the broken bat and discovered fragments of cork, a material prohibited in MLB, and Sosa faced ejection from the game. In his defense, he claimed that he had mistakenly used a bat reserved for practice sessions. Nevertheless, Sosa received a 7-game suspension, casting a shadow over his otherwise illustrious and Hall of Fame-worthy career.

Will Smith

During a game between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers, the relief pitcher Will Smith was summoned by umpires after Braves manager Freddi Gonzalez flagged a suspicious substance glistening on his arm. Upon a closer examination by the umpires, Smith was ejected from the game. Smith explained that the substance in question was a combination of rosin and sunscreen, used to enhance his grip on the ball, and wasn't meant for an unfair advantage. However, the umpires were not unconvinced, and Smith got an 8-game suspension.

Martin McSorley

During the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, in a pivotal moment during Game 2, Montreal Canadiens head coach Jacques Demers requested an inspection of the hockey stick belonging to LA Kings defenseman Marty McSorley, alleging that it violated NHL regulations due to excessive curvature. Officials confirmed the violation and penalized McSorley for unsportsmanlike conduct. This incident allowed the Canadians to capitalize on the subsequent powerplay, and to ultimately win the game. While McSorley acknowledged his wrongdoing, he also expressed suspicions that the Canadians were aware of his illegal stick beforehand.

Tony Romo

In a humorous incident during a Dallas Cowboys game, running back DeMarco Murray came just shy of securing a first down on a 3rd and 1 play. During the momentary pause as officials and players gathered, Tony Romo playfully nudged the ball forward with his foot. However, his attempt at trickery didn't fool anyone, and the ball was promptly returned to its original position. Romo later addressed the incident with a touch of humor, suggesting that he had hoped no one would notice and then quipped that it was merely a slip.

Dwight Howard

During a matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets, forward Paul Millsap experienced an unusual sensation when he received the ball during a free throw attempt. It was later revealed that Dwight Howard had discreetly applied stickum, a sticky substance formerly favored by football players to enhance grip, but strictly prohibited in the NBA. However, Howard's actions went unpunished and he openly admitted to using it for years. This left players, coaches, and media outlets baffled as the advantage it provided in basketball remained a mystery, ultimately allowing Howard to escape consequences.

Michael Pineda

In a bid to cope with cold weather conditions, athletes often wear extra layers of clothing, gloves, or wrap up in a warm jacket while on the bench. Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda took a different approach by using pine tar, which was noticed on his neck by the opposing team's manager John Farrell during a game against the Boston Red Sox. Umpires conducted an inspection, confirming the presence of pine tar, which led to Pineda's ejection from the game. While Pineda received a 7-game suspension, this incident tarnished an otherwise impressive career.

Vincenzo Nibali

During the 2015 Vuelta a España, Italian cyclist Vincenzo Nibali faced a double dose of trouble. First, he crashed during the race, then latched onto one of his team cars in his attempt to catch up to the peloton, and was towed through part of the race. While racers occasionally do this to catch up, footage revealed Nibali's actions as an attempt to gain an unfair advantage, and he was disqualified from the race. It raised questions about how Nibali and his team thought they could escape such a blatant act, especially with cameras capturing it all.