MARCUS RASHFORD has been snubbed from this year’s Sports Personality of the Year nominations, despite his reputable charity work.
The Manchester United striker will instead be given a Panel Special Award after the BBC show’s judging panel deemed his off-field achievements too important to ignore.
But many are wondering why Rashford wasn’t considered for the main award, for which six other British athletes are up for.
Why wasn’t Marcus Rashford nominated for Sports Personality of the Year?
Rashford has spent his 2020 raising awareness for child poverty in the UK, convincing the government to help tackle issue.
The 23-year-old has been commended by fans, pundits and fellow players alike for his philanthropic work.
But Rashford’s nomination exclusion, however, is down to his performances on the pitch, according to a BBC spokesperson.
“The criteria for selecting nominees for the shortlist is, and always has been, centred around sporting achievement,” a statement read.
“Whilst Marcus has had a huge impact outside of his sport , which led to the panel giving him their special award, based on the criteria it was felt his sporting achievement this year wasn’t enough for him to make the shortlist for the main award.”
Rashford was United’s top scorer last season with 23 goals and he’s got nine so far this term for the Red Devils.
Who has been nominated for Sports Personality of the Year?
The first nominee is England cricketer Stuart Broad, whose performances in test matches against the West Indies in the summer have been lauded.
Racing jockey Hollie Doyle is also up for the award after riding a historic double in British Champions day, nabbing a first ever victory at Royal Ascot in the process.
Boxing superstar Tyson Fury has been nominated after he knocked out Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas to become a two-time world heavyweight champion in February.
The favourite to win the award, Lewis Hamilton, claimed his SEVENTH F1 World Title, equalling the great Michael Schumacher’s record.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is also in the running after steering the Reds to a first ever Premier League title.
And snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan could scoop the award after winning his sixth world title at the Crucible, cementing his already storied legacy in the sport.
When is the award ceremony?
This year’s Sports Personality of the Year award will be shown live on BBC One on Sunday, December 2020.
Voting will be open to the public on the night.
Gary Lineker, Claire Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will present the show live from Media City in Salford.
