Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay Singh has banned wrestler Vinesh Phogat from all federation events until June 2026 [1].

The move marks a significant escalation in the conflict between one of India's most prominent athletes and the national governing body. The dispute threatens Phogat's competitive trajectory and highlights the intersection of professional sports and national politics.

Singh issued a show-cause notice to Phogat during the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh [2, 3]. The WFI president said Phogat exhibited indiscipline during the event, specifically alleging that she attempted improper weigh-ins for two different weight categories on the same day [1, 4].

Beyond technical violations, Singh said Phogat is politicising the sport through her associations with the Congress party [1]. The federation alleges that these political ties are influencing her conduct, and the surrounding controversy of her return to competition [1].

Phogat has contested these assertions, saying that the federation is deliberately creating obstacles to block her comeback to the sport [5]. This contradicts statements from the WFI, which previously told Outlook India that there were no issues regarding her status [6].

Further contradictions exist regarding Phogat's registration for the Gonda tournament. While Phogat alleges the federation obstructed her entry, the WFI said that her entry was processed without procedural delays [7].

The ban remains in effect until June 2026 [1], effectively removing Phogat from official WFI-sanctioned competitions for the immediate future.

“WFI President Sanjay Singh has banned wrestler Vinesh Phogat from all federation events until June 2026.”

This ban reflects a deepening rift between the WFI leadership and elite athletes who have transitioned into political spheres. By citing both technical rule violations and political affiliations, the WFI is establishing a precedent that political activity may be viewed as a breach of athletic discipline, potentially complicating the careers of other athletes with party ties.