Alleged harassment case led to suspension of American GM Christopher Yoo by FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission
After being banned for one year by the US Chess Federation in 2024, the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) provisionally suspended American Grandmaster Christopher Yoo for 60 days on Saturday, effective from Friday. May 9, 2025.
FIDE said that their action followed after the submission of a second complaint alleging harassment, currently under preliminary review.
According to a report by HT, the complainant was harassed by Yoo during the recently concluded Grenke Open. The female player filed a complaint, which resulted in the ban.
According to FIDE, 'The suspension stems from two separate complaints alleging violations of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Code. Case 5/2025 (A), filed by the United States Chess Federation (USCF), and an additional recent complaint – whose details and complainant remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of the allegations – are both under investigation by the EDC.'
❗️GM Christopher Yoo Temporarily Suspended by FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission❗️
The FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) has announced a provisional 60-day suspension of Grandmaster Christopher Yoo, effective from May 9, 2025. This action follows the submission… pic.twitter.com/KDfQAuEfy0
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) May 9, 2025
In November 2024, the US Chess Federation imposed a one-year ban prohibiting Yoo from participating in tournaments under the auspices of USCF.
The ban from USCF happened during the 2024 US Chess Championship.
After losing his fifth-round match, Yoo reportedly destroyed his scoresheet before storming out of the playing hall, 'and struck a videographer from behind'. The Saint Louis chess club and the organisers of the US Championship did not approve of the reaction of Yoo and expelled him from the US Championship.
Yoo is banned from the Saint Louis Chess Club and suspended from the US Chess Federation, with 4th-degree charges by the Saint Louis police.
The sanction from USCF also includes a five-year probationary period extending through November 14, 2030.
Yoo recently played at the Sardinia World Chess Festival in Italy and eventually won the event as well. But his participation was questioned by International Arbiter Chris Bird, who noted that there must be a mistake in the communication between the US Chess Federation and the FIDE Ethics Commission, as Yoo was playing a FIDE-rated event in Europe.
IA Chris Bird said, 'I see GM Christopher Yoo is now playing FIDE rated chess in Sardinia. This is 7 months before his 1 year US Chess Federation suspension is due to expire! Both US Chess and FIDE Ethics had previously agreed to extend this imposed sanction to have a worldwide effect, but apparently that didn't happen. At the moment it is unclear who dropped the ball on this. I have contacted both but so far with no response, so it seems they are both currently fine with him not playing in the USA, but fine for him to be a potential safe play risk anywhere else in the world.'
I see GM Yoo is now playing FIDE rated chess in Sardinia. This is 7 months before his 1 year @USChess suspension is due to expire! Both US Chess and FIDE Ethics had previously agreed to extend this imposed sanction to have a worldwide effect, but apparently that didn't happen 🤦♂️ https://t.co/4Twlp774vF
— Chris Bird (@ChrisBirdIA) April 28, 2025
After the recent harassment case, FIDE said that the USCF formally submitted a request to FIDE to recognise and globally enforce the ban.
According to the International Chess body, 'Given the gravity of the allegations and the ongoing proceedings, the Chair of the EDC has enacted a temporary suspension of GM Yoo to safeguard the integrity of the investigative process. Both GM Yoo and the USCF have been formally notified of this decision.'
The suspension may be extended if a final resolution is not reached within the initial 60-day period.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
9 minutes ago
- India Today
Viswanathan Anand set to make return in World Rapid and Blitz team championship
Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand is all set to make a return during the World Rapid and Blitz team chess championship as a part of the Freedom team. The side will be led by FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsly, which only features Anand as the sole Indian in the team. The hot favourites for the tournament will be the WR Chess team, which will be spearheaded by Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia on the top board, as Magnus Carlsen won't take part in the competition. The World No.1 refused to take part in the FIDE event. Arjun Erigaisi will also be on the top board and will be assisted by by P Harikrishna on the second Read: D Gukesh picks his best Norway Chess moment. Carlsen can't stop laughing World junior champion V Pranav is a welcome addition to the side alongside Luke Leon Mendonca, who is the next rising star in Indian chess behind the the quartet of world champion D Gukesh, Arjun, R Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh Chithambaram. The event will also see Nihal Sarin in action, as he will represent the fifth-seed Ashdod elite chess club. Nihal and Anand will play as the top seed on top board like Erigaisi, but the presence of D Gukesh and Carlsen will be missed as they decided to skip the event. The WR Chess team is stacked with the Nepomniachtchi, Firouzja Alireza, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Hikaru Nakamura, Alexandra Kostenuik, and Wesley So on the side. As part of the rules of the competition, every round has to have a female player as well as a player rated less than 2200 on the FIDE rating list that was last published on June 1. advertisementThis has been added to make the dynamics of the tournament more exciting than any other team event. The winner of each competition will get 110000 and 75000 US Dollars, Watch
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Handcuffed, pinned to floor: The row over Indian student's ordeal at US airport
A video that has gone viral shows an Indian student being handcuffed and pinned down by officials at Newark Airport in New Jersey, US. The incident came to light after Indian-American entrepreneur Kunal Jain shared the video online. As a witness to the incident, he described the treatment of the man as 'deeply inhumane' and called it a 'human tragedy'. The Indian Embassy in New York has now responded, saying it has reached out to local authorities read more The viral video shows an Indian student being handcuffed and pinned down by officials at a US airport. Image: X A shocking video of an Indian man being handcuffed and held down by officials at Newark Airport in New Jersey has gone viral on social media. The incident came to light after Kunal Jain, an Indian-American entrepreneur, posted the video on social media . He called the way the Indian 'student' was treated 'deeply inhumane' and described it as a 'human tragedy'. Now, the Indian Embassy in New York has responded, saying that they had seen social media posts about an Indian national facing trouble at Newark Liberty International Airport. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What happened during the incident? Do we know why he was being treated the way the video shows? What did the witness, Kunal, say about it? And how did the Indian consulate in New York respond? Let's get you the answers to these questions and more. What happened? The viral video shows an Indian student being handcuffed and pinned down by officials at a US airport. Kunal Jain posted a photo of the student on X, saying he was being deported from Newark Airport last night. According to him, the student was in tears and was treated like a criminal by the authorities. I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night— handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal. He came chasing dreams, not causing harm. As an NRI, I felt helpless and heartbroken. This is a human tragedy. @IndianEmbassyUS #immigrationraids — Kunal Jain (@SONOFINDIA) June 8, 2025 'As an NRI, I felt helpless and heartbroken. This is a human tragedy,' Jain wrote on X. Jain, who is the President of HealthBots AI, said the student spoke in Haryanvi. 'I could recognise his accent where he was saying 'I'm not insane, these people are trying to make me look insane',' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Jain expressed concern over the situation, saying the student was 'crying, treated like a criminal' and had come to the US 'chasing dreams, not causing harm'. Here more videos and @IndianEmbassyUS need to help here. This poor guy was speaking in Haryanvi language. I could recognise his accent where he was saying 'में पागल नहीं हूँ , ये लोग मुझे पागल साबित करने में लगे हुए हे' — Kunal Jain (@SONOFINDIA) June 8, 2025 He also said that similar cases have been happening recently. 'These children get their visas and get on a flight in the morning. For some reason, they are unable to explain the reason for their visit to the immigration authorities and are sent back on the evening flight tied up like criminals. Every day 3-4 such cases are happening. There have been more such cases in the last few days,' he wrote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He urged the Indian Embassy in the US to look into the incident and help the student. He also tagged the Indian Embassy and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in his post. In an article for The New Indian Express, Jain recalled that the man, who appeared to be a student, said in Hindi, 'Main pagal nahi hoon… yeh log mujhe pagal sabit karna chahte hain' ('I'm not mad… they're trying to prove I'm mentally unstable'). This poor kids parent won't know what's happening to him. @IndianEmbassyUS @DrSJaishankar he was to be boarded last night in the same flight with me but he never got boarded. Someone needs to find out what's going on with him at New Jersey authorities. I found him disoriented. — Kunal Jain (@SONOFINDIA) June 8, 2025 He added that the man looked frightened and confused, and his desperate plea to be understood was deeply disturbing. What was the reason? Here's what the witness said In a conversation with CNN-News18, Jain said that even terrorists are not treated publicly like that in the United States. He said, 'I remember exactly, a pilot came out and said he couldn't take the risk of bringing this boy onto the plane because he might be a threat to other passengers. Now think about it, all of this was happening in his head… I mean, I felt so bad.' Regarding a possible reason why the security forces acted the way they did, Kunal said they believed the student was agitated. 'So they felt that in order to control him, they had to force him down, pin him to the ground. My only point is that there were enough Indians there. They could have called the Indian embassy, they could have provided legal help, they could have brought in a counsellor, or even a linguistic counsellor who could speak his language.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He further said, 'Nowadays, if you don't have a visa, they don't allow you in. So he was allowed at the entry, but probably interviewed there.' After the entire incident, he said, 'I boarded the plane and asked one of the hostesses. She told me, 'We see three to four such cases every day.'' 'If people do not retaliate or become violent, then they are sent back to India. But if, for any reason, they become aggressive, this is what happens,' he said. ALSO READ | Why Trump is offering $1,000 to migrants to 'self-deport' from US How Indian Embassy reacted to the incident The Indian Consulate in New York responded to the incident after the video and posts gained attention online. The consulate confirmed that they had reached out to local authorities. 'We have come across social media posts claiming that an Indian national is facing difficulties at Newark Liberty International Airport. We are in touch with local authorities in this regard,' the Consulate General of India in New York posted on X. We have come across social media posts claiming that an Indian national is facing difficulties at Newark Liberty International Airport. We are in touch with local authorities in this regard. The Consulate remains ever committed for the welfare of Indian Nationals.@MEAIndia… — India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) June 9, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The Consulate remains ever committed for the welfare of Indian Nationals.' Trump administration's crackdown on international students This incident comes at a time when the US government has stepped up its action against international students , with many visas being cancelled without warning. The reasons behind the deportations have differed, from joining pro-Palestine protests to minor traffic offences, leaving many students caught in legal trouble and uncertainty. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, since Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, the US has deported around 1,080 Indian nationals. The latest case has also reminded many of earlier deportations that caused public outrage. In February, a video released by the US Border Patrol showed over 100 Indians being sent back, with their hands cuffed and legs chained.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Who is DeMarcus Cousins? The Ex-NBA star in viral fight after fans pelt him with drinks
Know about DeMarcus Cousins: He is a former NBA All-Star, is in the news again, this time for a violent altercation that happened in Puerto Rico. After being dismissed from a furious game while playing for the Guaynabo Mets, Cousins was subjected to a barrage of food and beverages thrown by irate spectators. In the widely shared video, he is seen addressing the crowd with aggressive gestures and almost fighting before security steps in and restrains him. Discussions concerning player behavior, fan violence, and the fine line between passion and mayhem in professional sports have all been rekindled by this dramatic occurrence. The basketball community is debating if this is another dramatic point in Cousins' journey or a worrying indication that sports are veering into animosity as the video goes viral online. Who is DeMarcus Cousins? Cousins, who was born in Mobile, Alabama, on August 13, 1990, created a name for himself at the University of Kentucky before the Sacramento Kings selected him fifth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft. He averaged 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game throughout eleven NBA seasons, earning him two All-NBA Second Team choices and four All-Star appearances. Cousins helped redefine the "modern center" with his exceptional post-scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and unexpected competence around the perimeter. He continues to play basketball internationally, now competing in the Puerto Rican BSN league, despite suffering severe injuries in recent years. DeMarcus Cousins education qualifications In Mobile, Alabama, cousins went to LeFlore Magnet High School. In 2009, he participated in the McDonald's All-American Boys Game and finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds, earning him a spot on the first-team Parade All-American. Cousins also participated in the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden, where he scored 10 points for the black team and the 2009 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland's Rose Garden. Despite losing to future college teammate Eric Bledsoe and Parker High School in the semifinals, he guided LeFlore to the Alabama class 6A Final Four. DeMarcus Cousins family His brother Jaleel was a basketball player at the University of South Florida. His son, Amir, was born in 2012. He wed his girlfriend, Morgan Lang, in August 2019. DeMarcus Cousins career American basketball player DeMarcus Cousins is well-known for his commanding presence as a center. The Sacramento Kings selected him fifth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, and he immediately became famous for his excellent scoring, grabbing of rebounds, and intensity on the court. He was one of the best big players in the NBA and a multiple-time All-Star during his tenure with the Kings. After being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017, Cousins and Anthony Davis became a potent tandem, but a horrific Achilles injury ended his momentum. After he battled several serious ailments during brief stints with the Warriors, Lakers, Rockets, Clippers, Bucks, and Nuggets. In recent years, Cousins has played abroad in Taiwan and Puerto Rico, demonstrating his love for the game despite obstacles. DeMarcus Cousins's recent viral video Y el #MotinAlert de hoy para nuestro pana Boogie This week, a furious altercation in Puerto Rico's professional basketball league infuriated NBA journeyman DeMarcus Cousins. After being ejected from a game against Vaqueros de Bayamon on Monday, Cousins—currently with the Guaynabo Mets—seemed to agitate some of the spectators as he exited the court. When a group of fans near the tunnel entrance began hurling their beverages toward Cousins as he was ready to enter, the scene became heated. When cousins attempted to attack the fans, security stopped them. It took a few seconds for the security guys to push him back and successfully guide him down the tunnel. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
