Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has been snubbed by the BBC ahead of the Sports Personality of the Year awards
Former Manchester United midfielder has been one of the standout performers with Napoli and Scotland since his move to Italy.
Former Manchester United midfielder has been one of the standout performers with Napoli and Scotland since his move to Italy.
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The BBC has explained the reason why former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay was snubbed ahead of the Sports Personality of the Year award, citing that an expert panel reached a general consensus on the final shortlist. The 29-year-old has been one of the standout performers in European football since his move to Napoli last summer.
McTominay scored 12 goals for Antonio Conte's side as they won the Serie A title, breaking Denis Law's 63-year-old goal-scoring record and was voted Serie A Player of the Season for the last campaign. He became the first Scottish footballer to win the award at the Gran Galà del Calcio ceremony earlier this month.
The 29-year-old helped Scotland qualify for the World Cup and finished 18th on the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Scot to be shortlisted since Ally McCoist in 1987.
Despite his sensational form, the BBC have not named McTominay in their final shortlist for this year's Sports Personality of the Year award.
When asked for a detailed explanation for McTominay's snub, a BBC spokesperson told the Scottish Express: "A wide range of contenders were reviewed and debated by an expert industry panel, who reached a consensus on the final shortlist."
The United academy graduate stole the show as Scotland defeated Denmark to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998, and his wonder goal has been nominated for the Puskas Award.
MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 01: Scott McTominay of Napoli during Gran Gala' Del Calcio Aic 2025 on December 01, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
McTominay was named Serie A Player of the Year but has been snubbed for BBC's SPOTY despite his superb 2025
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Manchester United fans Luke Littler and Rory McIlroy are two of the six listed on the final shortlist after sensational years in their respective sports.
England Lionesses, Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, rugby union player Ellie Kildunne and Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris make up the rest of the nominees.
Journalist Henry Winter questioned why McTominay had not been included in the list, tweeting: "Scott McTominay a surprise omission from #SPOTY short-list?
"Won Scudetto, voted Serie A Player of the Year, nominated for Ballon d’Or, helped Scotland qualify for World Cup, scored vital/spectacular goal against Denmark that’s surely a Puskas Awards contender. Amazing year."
And not everyone was pleased with the final shortlist, with many replying 'great point' and claiming his omission was 'harsh'. One fan wrote: "It’s terrible but not surprising," while another added: "It is a farce."
A third said: "I agree, what an outstanding year he's had, he should have been included in the SPOTY shortlist," while another added: "Unsure why they need to limit the list? I’d [say] there are others that deserve the recognition, McTominay a case in point, then expand the list. All of the nominees deserve to be there, so [there] should be more to choose from. Lando or Luke to win for me, but that’s my preference."
After the shortlist was announced, Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said: "This has been a breathtaking year for sport, driven by athletes whose performances belong in the history books.
"Each one has delivered moments of pure brilliance that have defined 2025. It's been incredible to watch, and I can't wait to honour their achievements, and to see who the nation chooses as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025."
Luke Littler (centre) celebrates as Manchester United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux
Luke Littler (centre) is one of the six nominees
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18-year-old Littler became the world's number one darts player and will begin his defence of his World Championship title, while McIlroy became only the sixth man in history to complete a grand slam of golf's four majors.
He eventually won at the Masters before helping Europe claim a thrilling victory over the USA in the Ryder Cup. Hampton and Kelly both starred as England retained their European Championship crown.
Kildunne was one of the standout performers for England, scoring five tries as they won the Women's Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Norris became the 11th Brit to win a Formula 1 drivers' championship, finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to claim the crown.