Browsing: abuse

Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Justin Credible has opened up about his past issues with substance abuse and stated that heâ€s been sober since last year.

ECW original Justin Credible reunited with his old on-screen valet Francine in her Eyes Up Here with Francine podcast, where he spoke about his battle with addiction. He stated that it started with opioids during his ECW and WWE days and credited the latterâ€s rehab program in 2011 and the medication Suboxone for saving his life.

He said he hasnâ€t taken opioids since 2011, but stated that he relapsed with alcohol later.

“I havenâ€t taken an opioid since 2011. Something in me said, ‘Well, you know, itâ€s not that bad if I have a drink once in a whileâ€â€¦ that led to me just being a full blown drunk, drinking day and night,†Credible said (h/t WrestlingNews.co).

Justin Credible said his addiction led to legal issues, which stemmed from domestic incidents while being intoxicated. It led to the issue of a protective order, which he violated repeatedly and spent 45 days in prison as a result.

“The first incident was with my father… I specifically said to him, ‘Oh, Iâ€ll kill you.†He called the cops, and thatâ€s a threat. Every time there was a an argument or a drunken fueled debauchery, theyâ€d come and Iâ€m not supposed to be on the property. I spent 45 days in jail.â€

He then stated that heâ€s been sober since December 14 last year. Speaking about how his life outside wrestling is going, Jutin Credible revealed that he is starting a new job at Chiliâ€s in December.

Justin Credibleâ€s most recent in-ring appearance took place on August 2, 2025, when he competed in a Hardcore match against Sycho Simon at a Memphis Wrestling event.

Read More: Former AEW Coach Rips ‘Drowning†Spot In AEW WrestleDream Main Event

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TORONTO — Toronto rookie Trey Yesavage says his family has been subjected to abuse since his impressive postseason debut last weekend against the New York Yankees.

“Living in this world where thereâ€s so many different opinions and feelings which results in a lot of hate, itâ€s sad to see that people close to me are being attacked for my performances on the field,†Yesavage said Sunday before the AL Championship Series opener against Seattle.

“These people have done nothing to warrant negativity for my actions, whether thatâ€s my parents, my brothers, my girlfriend, family,†he added. “Itâ€s just really sad. I know I have the platform to address it, so I am. I hope that people can realize that those individuals have nothing to do with what happens on the field. If you have a problem, Iâ€m a man. I can take whatever opinions anybody has about me or my life. So I just wanted to get that out there.â€

Yesavage, scheduled to start Game 2 on Monday, declined to answer a follow-up question about the matter.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Yesavage didnâ€t speak to him before making his comments.

“Itâ€s unfortunate that thatâ€s a reality,†Schneider said of the abuse. “I commend him for saying what he said and for backing up the people that love and support him.â€

Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler, who grew up a Red Sox fan in Walpole, Massachusetts, said his family received online abuse before he beat Boston to win the Wild Card Series for New York.

Making his fourth big league appearance, Yesavage set a Blue Jays postseason record by striking out 11 Yankees in 5 1/3 hitless innings in AL Division Series Game 2 on Oct. 5. Eight strikeouts came on the split-finger fastball of the 22-year-old right-hander, who induced 18 swings and misses, including 11 on the splitter.

“Heâ€s definitely something that weâ€re going to have to figure out,†Mariners manager Dan Wilson. “The big split, theyâ€re tough pitches, obviously.â€

Yesavage went 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA in three September starts. Including his postseason start, he has 27 strikeouts in 19 1/3 big league innings.

“Heâ€s pretty special,†Blue Jays teammate Addison Barger said. “To be able to do what he did in the regular season and in the Division Series, itâ€s kind of unrealistic, but heâ€s been able to do it. Itâ€s been amazing to watch and weâ€re super excited to have him.â€

The Mariners, who used three starting pitchers in Fridayâ€s 15-inning win over Detroit, have not announced a starter for Game 2.

“Weâ€re going to see how guys feel today and likely announce that after the game,†Wilson said.

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Oct 10, 2025, 02:58 AM ETAnthony Taylor was abused by fans at an airport after refereeing the 2023 Europa League final. James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

Anthony Taylor has admitted there have been times he has considered quitting refereeing because of the constant barrage of abuse — and revealed his family no longer attend high-profile matches after he was harassed by Roma fans at an airport.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Taylor reflected on the “archaic” culture which he feels surrounds the game.

Taylor, 46, has twice taken charge of the FA Cup final, in 2017 and 2020, and been on the FIFA referees’ list for more than a decade.

Having been selected as one of six English officials for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Taylor was subsequently appointed for the 2023 Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma in Budapest.

Following an ill-tempered affair at the Puskas Arena — with Sevilla eventually beating Roma, then managed by Jose Mourinho, after a penalty shootout — Taylor, who issued 13 yellow cards during the match, was accosted by angry fans at the airport as he travelled home.

Despite being considered one of the Premier League’s leading referees, Taylor believes he and all other match officials have become an easy target, with criticism coming again following Chelsea’s dramatic stoppage-time win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

Taylor was asked if he had ever considered quitting refereeing.

“There’s certainly been moments — and I won’t be alone in this — there’s certainly been moments where you are thinking, ‘Is it worth it?’,” he said.

“And certainly, moments where you’re thinking, ‘What’s being said is completely unfair’.”

Taylor continued: “We have this archaic psychological tactic of ‘let’s bombard the ref or bombard the fourth official with the hope of getting a decision out of it’.”

After the 2023 Europa League final, video footage emerged of the incident involving Taylor at Budapest Airport. A chair and drinks were thrown in the direction of the English referee and his group as they made their way through a gathering of Roma fans before being ushered to a safe area by airport security.

Taylor revealed his family now no longer attend big matches.

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“That’s for sure the worst situation I’ve dealt with in terms of abuse,” he said.

“Not only because I was travelling with family members at the time, but it also highlights the impact of people’s behaviour on others.

“It makes you reflect back on whether you made a mistake travelling with your family in the first place.”

Asked whether that means his family no longer go to the high-profile games, Taylor said: “Yeah very much so — they haven’t been to one since.”

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The president of the PGA of America, who had initially dismissed abuse directed at Europe’s players during this year’s Ryder Cup as no worse than at “a youth soccer gameâ€, has issued an apology.

“Let me begin with what we must own. While the competition was spirited – especially with the US team’s rally on Sunday afternoon – some fan behavior clearly crossed the line,†Don Rea Jr wrote in an email to PGA of America members. “It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals. We condemn that behavior unequivocally.â€

During last week’s tournament, Europe’s players were subjected to vitriolic abuse. An MC at the event resigned after she led chants of “Fuck you, Rory†aimed at Rory McIlroy, the crowd hurled homophobic slurs at golfers and players’ wives were insulted. McIlroy said his wife, Erica, was hit by a beer that was thrown during Saturday afternoon’s play. Europe won the Ryder Cup on Sunday after completing a 15-13 victory.

However, in a BBC interview on Sunday morning, Rea seemed to minimise the abuse. “You’ve got 50,000 people here that are really excited, and heck, you could go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things,†he said. He went on to say the behavior was distracting American players because they had to spend energy helping to control the crowd.

The abuse was such that McIlroy began pushing back, telling one spectator to “shut the fuck up†during a foursomes match on Saturday morning.

Rea also said during his BBC interview when asked about the abuse hurled toward McIlroy, “I haven’t heard some of that. I’m sure it happened. It happens when we’re over in Rome on the other side, and Rory understands. Things like that are going to happen.â€

Europe’s Matt Fitzpatrick said about the Rome reference, “It’s pretty offensive to European fans the fact that he said that, really.†Lowry said the level of abuse directed at McIlroy’s wife was “astonishing.â€

Derek Sprague, the CEO at the PGA of America, said on Tuesday that spectators crossed the line and that he planned to apologize personally to Rory McIlroy and Erica McIlroy, who formerly worked at the PGA.

“Rory might have been a target because of how good he is, but the entire European team should not have been subjected to that,†Sprague said on the Golf Channel. “I feel badly and I plan on apologizing to them.â€

Rea also took heat for an awkward trophy presentation on Sunday in which he mentioned Europe had retained the cup, instead of winning it.

On Tuesday, on his LinkedIn page, Rea wrote: “I’m personally taking some criticism right now and that comes with the role and just like when I was an umpire I expect it. However to the students and PGA members that follow me, know this, I am not bothered.â€

In Thursday’s letter, Rea was more contrite. “What makes our sport great is that we own our bogeys. We certainly own this one,†Rea wrote. “Our CEO Derek Sprague has apologized on our behalf to Erica and Rory McIlroy and to everyone with Ryder Cup Europe. I would also like to personally apologize to them and all of you for not representing our association in the best light with some of my comments in the media during the event.

“While it wasn’t my intention, some of my comments were seen in a negative light which reflects poorly on not only myself but also on the PGA of America and for that I truly apologize.â€

He ended the email, “God Bless and as always Go USA!â€

The PGA of America announced in 2013 it would bring the Ryder Cup to Bethpage Black, the public golf course on Long Island that had a reputation for its raw comments directed at players. Ted Bishop was the PGA president and Pete Bevacqua was the CEO at the time of the announcement.

Bishop was forced out as president in 2014 with a month left on his two-year term for a social media post when he angrily referred to Ian Poulter as a “lil girl.â€

An English Football League assistant referee who “preyed upon young women†has been jailed for a string of child sexual abuse offences involving teenage girls.

Gareth Viccars, 47, of Shackleton Place, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes, previously pleaded guilty to 16 counts, including sexual communications with a child, meeting with a child following sexual grooming, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and engaging in sexual activity with a child. The offences spanned three years between November 2021 and October 2024 and involved three girls aged 15, Snaresbrook crown court previously heard.

On Thursday, Viccars was jailed for 13-and-a-half years with a further three-and-a-half years on extended licence at the same court. Addressing the referee, Judge Caroline English said: “You did deliberately target these three young victims and you did so on account of their ages at the material time. I am therefore quite satisfied that in all three cases you preyed upon young women that were vulnerable.â€

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The judge said that despite Viccarsâ€s guilty pleas and expressions of remorse, there remained a lack of acknowledgment from the defendant that he had “a sexual interest in female childrenâ€. This interest was clear from the contents of messages sent to his victims and a statement from Viccarsâ€s ex-girlfriend, which said he used to ask her to dress up in school uniform.

Viccars, who appeared in the dock wearing a dark green sweatshirt, nodded as the judge read out her sentencing remarks. He was an assistant referee at the time of offending and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) said he was suspended “as soon as the allegations came to lightâ€. Viccars was not considered for appointments after his initial suspension and PGMO has since removed him from the organisationâ€s list, it is understood.

The prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC told the court Viccars had met his victims online through the messaging app Snapchat, telling one girl that talking on WhatsApp was “too riskyâ€. She said Viccars had lied and told one of his victims he was a teacher when they first started communicating and was aware that she was 15 years old.

Ms Newell read out the transcript of a voice note sent by Viccars to one of his victims, where he referred to her as “little girl†and himself as “daddy†and “teacherâ€. Ms Newell added of the victim: “She says effectively that she was lonely and she just wanted someone to talk to. He, it seems, was aware of that and abused it – turning the communication sexual.â€

The court heard he had abused another of his victims over a period of several years, had taken her to football matches and told others he was “mentoring†her. A scrapbook chronicling the twoâ€s “relationship†that was made by the teenager and given to Viccars was handed to police and formed part of the evidence against him, the prosecutor said.

In court, Viccars watched the victim read out an impact statement during which she said he had been her “world†and that she had trusted him “completely†for almost three years. Addressing her abuser, she said he had won her over with “kind words†and “attention†and had isolated her “in plain sightâ€. “Now I know what you really wanted was someone young enough to manipulate,†she added.

Another statement was read out by the prosecutor on behalf of a different victim, in which she said she blamed herself for Viccarsâ€s actions, which had broken her trust in adults. She said: “I struggle to sleep, I have had nightmares. I would have nightmares about what happened – it kept replaying in my head. When I was awake, I would have flashbacks. I kept reliving it again and again. I feel I am never going to find happiness.â€

Addressing the victims, Judge English said: “You must not allow your lives to be blighted by seeking to shoulder any responsibility for what took place, that would be wholly wrong. You must allow all the responsibility to rest where it belongs and that is entirely with Mr Viccars.â€

In mitigation, Laura Blackband, defending, said Viccars acknowledged that his behaviour had been “disgracefulâ€, he had had a “difficult upbringing†and struggled with alcohol issues. Three charges, two of sexual activity with a child and one of engaging in sexual communications with a child, will lie on file, the court previously heard.

After the sentencing, the Metropolitan police said they believed there may be other victims of Viccars as he had been “spamming hundreds of girls on Snapchatâ€. DCI Ross Morrell, who led the Metâ€s investigation, said: “He began with a profile of ‘sorry I think Iâ€ve added the wrong personâ€, and then he would go in to lie, manipulate them, and then go on to abuse them.

“If anyone thinks theyâ€ve been a victim, then please contact 101, reference this appeal. You will be entitled to specialist care, specialist advice, and you will be believed.â€

It is understood Viccars did not officiate last season.

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An emotional Rory McIlroy opened up on the abuse he received during the Ryder Cup after Europe secured a famous win in New York. The 15-13 success for the visitors at Bethpage Black came against the backdrop of awful spectator behaviour, largely towards European players and their families. McIlroy confirmed his wife, Erica, was hit by a beer that was thrown during Saturday afternoon’s play.

“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,†said McIlroy. “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people. Sometimes this week we didn’t see that. So no, this should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup. We will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable.

“Come and support your team. I think if I was an American, I would be annoyed … I didn’t hear a lot of shouts for Scottie [Scheffler] today, but I heard a lot of shouts against me. It’s like, support your players. That’s the thing.

“It was a rough week for all of us. But at the same time, we shut them up by our performance and how we played. I chirped back a few times because it got to me a few times, but we tried to handle everything that came our way with class and poise, and for the most part, I felt like we did that.â€

Shane Lowry, McIlroy’s close friend, added: “I was out there for two days with Erica McIlroy and the amount of abuse that she received was astonishing. The way she was out there supporting her husband and supporting her team was unbelievable.â€

McIlroy replied in jest when asked what it was like playing Ryder Cup matches with policemen and dogs lining fairways. “I wish they had let the dogs off the leashes,†he said.

Rory McIlroy celebrates with fans after Europe’s victory at Bethpage. Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty Images

“The police out there and the amount of security presence was insane. Look, nothing was going to happen. There wasn’t going to be physical altercation or anything like that but there was a lot of language that was unacceptable and abusive behaviour.

“It should be off limits but obviously it wasn’t this week. Erica is fine. She’s a very, very strong woman. She handled everything this week with class and poise and dignity like she always has. I love her and we’re going to have a good time celebrating tonight.â€

The Masters champion was only slightly more serious when asked how it felt to fire an iron shot to close range after turning to ask spectators to “shut the fuck up†as they heckled him before he hit. “Very fucking satisfying,†McIlroy said.

Keegan Bradley, the defeated US captain, criticised the rule whereby both the hosts and Europe received singles half points before a Sunday ball was struck. Injury sustained by Viktor Hovland meant Bradley had to remove one of his own players, Harris English, from the draw. This moved Europe to within two points of retaining the Cup.

“It has to change,†said Bradley. “I think it’s obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room. Nothing against Viktor but that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.â€

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Luke Donald, Europe’s captain, looked emotionally drained as he assessed what played out in the singles. Europe won just one of the 11 matches. “It’s been the most stressful 12 hours in my life,†said Donald. “Shout-out to the Americans, Keegan [Bradley] and his captaincy. I knew it would be tough. I didn’t think they would be this tough, they fought so hard, and all respect to them.

Captain Luke Donald gets stuck into the celebrations late into the night at Bethpage after Europe’s victory. Photograph: David Davies/PA

“But this means a lot obviously to me and the team. We came here knowing that the task was very difficult. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys and what they have gone through, how they have come together, how they are playing for history, how they are playing for the people that came before them. Now there will be talk for generations to come as they go down in history. I couldn’t be more proud.

“I was just fortunate to have a team that knew me and trusted me. All I have ever tried to do is just be the best prepared I can be. So many different things went into this to deal with; the environment, the communication with the players. I’m so, so, happy for them.â€

Jon Rahm joined McIlroy by heaping praise on Donald. “Luke has set the bar for captaincy so extremely high,†said the Spaniard. “What he’s done these four years is absolutely astonishing. He has been so professional, so dedicated, so incredibly meticulous, and well organised in doing everything that he needs to do and that’s why you’ve seen the two performances you’ve seen from us.â€

Sep 25, 2025, 02:04 PM ET

Matt Fitzpatrick confirmed his parents have not traveled to watch him at the Ryder Cup in New York partly because of crowd abuse.

Fitzpatrick and the European team are expected to receive a hostile reception from a boisterous home crowd when the contest against the United States at Bethpage Black begins Friday.

The Yorkshireman, who is playing in his fourth Ryder Cup, was previously targeted at the 2021 event at Whistling Straits.

As a result, his mother and father have decided against attending this time, although their participation in the upcoming Alfred Dunhill Links Championship — in which their other son Alex is also involved — also influenced their decision.

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“They didn’t have a great experience in Whistling Straits,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s not a lie or anything or making anything up.

“But the other thing is, both my parents are playing next week in the Dunhill. They didn’t really want to ruin that experience as well, because that’s obviously special to have that.

“So it’s a combination. It’s a lot of travel, it’s obviously a busy week. It’s a tiring week. And then they obviously want to have a nice week as well.

“No denying that they had a bad experience in the past, but there’s no reason why it has to be like that this time. … Obviously I’ll miss them this week for sure, but they are doing what’s best for them, and that’s what’s important.”

Matt Fitzpatrick’s parents will not attend the 2025 Ryder Cup. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Fitzpatrick himself, having already been booed during practice, is determined not to let any abuse bother him. “I’m from Sheffield, so that’s probably a good start,” he said.

“Like I keep saying, the fans are what make this event,” Fitzpatrick said. “They’re what make this event so fun, so special, and it’s obviously a great opportunity for us to come and try and play our best golf in front of them.”

Fitzpatrick, 31, announced himself on the highest stage when he won the 2022 U.S. Open, but his Ryder Cup record remains poor, having collected just one point in eight attempts.

He said: “It’s obviously frustrating, but all I can do is keep qualifying for the teams and keep giving myself the opportunity to improve on the record.”

Tuesday morning, allegations emerged on social media accusing former TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich of domestic violence against her former partner, independent wrestler AKIRA (real name Alexander James Atkisson). According to a report from Sports Illustrated, the posts have resulted in TNA launching an official investigation. Additionally, Slamovich has been removed from several scheduled appearances, based on details from F4WOnline.

The accusation was made by a friend of Atkisson’s, who posted a series of text message screenshots and photos implying that Slamovich, whose real name is Anna Khozina, was physically violent towards Atkisson. The former MLW star later went public with his own lengthy statement on X, discussing his extensive emotional distress but not directly addressing any allegations of physical abuse.

Khozina has been under contract with TNA for the past four years. She won the TNA Knockouts Championship last October, holding the belt until her loss against WWE’s Jacy Jayne at TNA Slammiversary in July. As of September 20, Khozina was on tour in Europe. On the same day the allegations emerged, she had been recognized as part of Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s annual top 500 list for her work in intergender matches over the last year.

Atkisson was formerly contracted to MLW, and he’s also spent time in GCW, CZW, and CMLL. Earlier this month, he took part in CZW’s annual Tournament of Death but lost in the semi-final round. Atkisson also had a stint with international promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling earlier this year, capturing the company’s Death Match Heavyweight Championship for more than four months.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

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