Controversial Gibson and Fear 'illegal' lift verdict from skating authorities - and why it can't be appealed

The sporting body said the deduction is “final and not subject to appeal” after UK federation British Ice Skating (BIS) on Saturday launched a formal challenge to the results of the competition in Prague, which saw Fear and Gibson placed fourth by just a fifth of a point.

BIS also called for a “full and independent review of the officiating process”.

A spokesman for BIS told The Scotsman it had not yet received a formal response from the ISU.

Read more: World medal loss 'formally challenged' as Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear miss out due to 'illegal' lift

The pair, who won the bronze medal at last year’s World Championships - the first British world medal in 40 years - had two points deducted for an “illegal element”, which the ISU confirmed related to their first lift. The issue is believed to relate to the alleged height of the overhead lift - and is a similar issue to that which cost Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean a gold Winter Olympic Games medal in 1994.

A spokesperson for the ISU said: “During their Ice Dance Free Dance performance at the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026, Prague, Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (GBR) were assessed a deduction by the Technical Panel for an illegal movement on their first element, a lift.

“As a field of play decision, the deduction is final and not subject to appeal. A well-established process is in place for the review and analysis of scoring from all competitions with fairness to the skaters on the ice of paramount importance.”

Performing to their medley of Scottish music including I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers and dressed in tartan costumes for the final time, Fear and Gibson scored 123.89 in the free dance, giving them an overall score of 208.98. Zingas and Kolesnik scored 209.20 overall.

Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France in first with 230.81 points overall and Piper Gillies and Paul Poirier of Canada in second with 211.52.

It is not the first time issues over ice dance judging have been raised by skaters this season.

Problems with this year’s Grand Prix judging panels were raised in November, when both Cizeron and rival Gillies spoke out at a press conference about downgraded levels of elements during the rhythm dance segment at the Finlandia Grand Prix.

“Of course I’m angry,’’ said Cizeron. “I see some strange games being played that are destroying ice dance. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a competition like this in my career, from a judging standpoint … everyone’s working like crazy and now I see the disappointment on their faces. Many are giving up.’’

After being scored unusually low for key elements, Gillies added: “We are made to feel a bit like junior skaters.”

A spokesman for BIS said: “We continue to engage formally with the ISU and await their official response to our submission.

“We remain committed to supporting fair, consistent, and transparent judging for all athletes.”