© Getty Images

Peng Shuai's alleged disappearance -

The Chinese tennis star accused the former Vice Premier of China of sexual assault in a since-deleted social media post on November 2, 2021, and wasn't seen or heard from for three weeks afterward. The international pro tennis community demanded proof of her safety and a proper investigation into her allegations. On November 21, Shuai reappeared and conducted a video call with International Olympic Committee officials in which she explained that she was "safe and well" in Beijing. Concerns remained, however, about the allegations landing her in trouble in China, a heavily censored country. Then, on December 19, Peng denied ever making the allegations. "First, I need to stress one point that is extremely important, I have never said or written that anyone has sexually assaulted me, I have to clearly stress this point," Peng said in the video posted by Lianhe Zaobao, a Singapore media outlet, as per Reuters.  She said that it was a misunderstanding, but didn't elaborate further. The Women's Tennis Association, which previously announced it would suspend tournaments in China due to concerns over the treatment of Peng, made a statement soon after: "As we have consistently stated, these appearances do not alleviate or address the WTA’s significant concerns about her well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion," adding that they "remain steadfast in our call for a full, fair and transparent investigation, without censorship, into her allegation of sexual assault, which is the issue that gave rise to our initial concern."

© Getty Images

White House won't go to Beijing 2022 Olympics -

The White House has announced it will not be sending an official delegation to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as a statement against China's "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity," as CNN reports. Though US athletes will still be allowed to compete in the Olympics, the Biden administration will not be sending government officials to the games, which also applies for the Paralympic Games. The protest is another move by the US to condemn China's alleged forced labour and human rights abuses particularly against the Uyghurs and other minority populations. 

© Getty Images

Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan - Just as the 1994 Winter Olympics were coming up, Tonya Harding and her husband were involved in an attack on rival American skater, Nancy Kerrigan. The case made the headlines in the press and has even been depicted on film.

© Getty Images

Danny Almonte - In 2001 the young player dominated the Little League World Series (a youth baseball league). However, after much speculation, it was discovered that Almonte was older and should not have played in the league.

© Getty Images

Hand of God goal - During the 1986 World Cup, in the match between Argentina and England, Maradona scored a goal with his hand and the refereeing team did not invalidate it. Argentina scored another goal and won the match. The player later confessed to it.

© Getty Images

Kobe Bryant - In 2003 the popular NBA player was accused of sexual assault by a hotel employee. The victim later refused to testify and the case was settled out of court. Bryant, who was married, stated that the sex was consensual. 

© Getty Images

O. J. Simpson - The NFL star was put on trial after being accused of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend Ronald Goldman. After a long court case, which was widely covered by the press, Simpson was found not guilty. The ruling is still controversial to this day.

© Getty Images

Lance Armstrong - The cyclist won the Tour de France in seven consecutive years, and at the time denied he had ever used performance enhancing drugs. However, in 2012 the American lost all the titles he had won since 1998 and was banned from competitive cycling. It was discovered that Armstrong used the most sophisticated doping program ever seen.

© Getty Images

Tiger Woods - 2009 brought some surprises to one of the best golfers ever. A publication revealed that Woods had an extra-marital affair with Rachel Uchitel. It was then discovered that the golfer had cheated on his wife on several occasions with a number of different women.

© Getty Images

Floyd Landis - In 2006, the American cyclist participated in the Tour de France and was falling behind in the race. However, the cyclist somehow regained his position, almost miraculously. After urinalysis, Landis was found to have three times the normal level of testosterone. It was an obvious case of doping.

© Getty Images

Michael Vick - In 2007, the then American football player was involved in a dog fighting scandal. Several of his dogs have died. After serving his sentence he returned to play professionally.

© Getty Images

Spanish Men's Paralympic Basketball team - The Spanish team won the gold medal in the 2000 Paralympic Games. However, a Spanish journalist revealed that 10 of the 12 players were not actually disabled. After an investigation, the gold medal was taken away from the athletes.

© iStock

Victory of the Soviet Union basketball team over the United States - The Soviet Union won the men's basketball final at the 1972 Olympics against the United States by 51-50. The big controversy was in the fact that the match had 3 extra seconds. The United States refuses to accept the silver medal to this day.

© iStock

Donald Sterling - In 2014 the then owners of the Los Angeles Clippers were banned from the NBA and fined $2.5 million due to racist comments. Sterling was also forced to sell the team.

© Reuters

Nelson Piquet Jr. - In 2008, the Brazilian driver suffered an accident during a Formula 1 race. Some allegations arose that the accident was intentional, since the objective was to allow Fernando Alonso to become champion. Piquet later revealed that his coach asked him to stage the accident.

© Getty Images

Reggie Bush - In 2006, allegations surfaced that the Bush family had received gifts from business owners, which violated some NCAA rules. A year earlier, Bush voluntarily returned the Heisman Trophy Trust award, which honored him as best college player of the year.

© Getty Images

New Orleans Saints bounty scandal - Saints' players were given financial incentives to hurt their opponents. The system ran from 2009 to 2011. Several members of staff and  players were suspended.

© Getty Images

Russian athletes doping -

In 2016 the International Association of Athletics Federations banned Russia's athletics team for doping. In addition, Russia was banned from the Winter Olympics in February.

© Getty Images

Penn State University - It was considered one of the most successful programs in college football. However, several child abuse charges were filed against the defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky. The university was ordered to pay a $60 million fine and all their victories from the previous 14 seasons were withdrawn.

© Getty Images

Aaron Hernandez - The former New England Patriots player was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 2017 he was found dead at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center where he was serving his sentence.

© Getty Images

Black Sox scandal - In the 1919 World Series final, eight members of the Chicago White Sox team were charged with intentionally losing the game against the Cincinnati Reds.

© Getty Images

Pete Rose - He is considered one of the best baseball players and coaches in MLB's history. However, it was discovered that Rose gambled illegally in various games, including those in which his team participated. He was banned from the MLB Hall of Fame.

© Getty Images

Salt Lake City bribery - The American city was supposed to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee voted in their favor, however, it was later discovered that several members of the IOC had been bribed.

© Getty Images

Ray Rice - The Baltimore Ravens player was suspended from the NFL after a video was revealed in which Rice was seen assaulting his fiancee. He did not return to play professionally.

© Getty Images

Alex Rodriguez - The baseball player was suspended for the entire 2014 season for using performance-enhancing drugs.

© Getty Images

Southern Methodist University -

The university's football program was investigated and punished for several violations of NCAA rules from the 1970s through to the 1980s. They were excluded from the 1987 season.

See also: Controversial celebrity scandals that shocked the world

© Shutterstock