Athlete disqualified for shameful act just centimetres from finish line that sparked fury at U20 Championship

THE Spanish Under-20 Indoor Championships were hit by a shameful act centimetres from the finish line.

Guillermo Sanchez was crowned the victor of the 1500m event in Salamanca with a time of 3:54.55.

However, as the 18-year-old raised his hands in triumph, the crowd was left stunned as second and third became embroiled in a stunning act.

Athletes Daniel Lopez and Mario Palencia, both 18, were close behind Sanchez when he crossed the line.

But as they approached the finish line, Lopez - who was running in second at the time - appeared to veer his path to the right.

This change of direction saw him get in the way of Palencia.

Frustrated by the move across his path, Palencia astonishingly pushed Lopez just centimetres before the pair were set to cross the finish line.

This caused Lopez to lose his balance and go tumbling over on to the floor.

As reported by , the act was deemed to constitute unsportsmanlike conduct under article RT7.1.

Palencia received a red card for the incident and was subsequently disqualified from the race.

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But it was not only the finish line push which had been considered, with the pair also clashing during the race.

Both race-winner Sanchez, runner-up Lopez and the disqualified Palencia had each won their respective earlier heat to get to the final.