• Commonwealth Games

Amir Khan claims brother is 'embarrassing' selectors

Haroon Khan was one victory from a guaranteed silver medal © Getty Images

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Amir Khan accused British boxing of 'abusing and wasting lottery funding' on the day his brother Haroon fought for a place in the Commonwealth Games final.

Haroon Khan was overlooked by Britain for the Games in Delhi, so he eventually accepted an offer to represent Pakistan in the flyweight division. Victory over home favourite Suranjoy Mayengbam on Monday would have guaranteed him at least a silver medal.

Silver was the colour that Amir once earned for Britain at the Athens Olympics and he is disgusted that his brother was not given a similar opportunity. Targeting performance director Rob McCracken, Khan twittered: "That McCracken needs to pull his finger out. Never seen this guy but would love to see him and just abuse him."

Harron defeated one of McCracken's picks, Andrew Selby, in the quarter-finals, and Amir took great joy in his brother's triumph.

"I hope England selectors wake up now, and the people above realise the selectors ain't doing their job right," he said. "With all the lottery funding they get where is it being spent? This is the reason young fighters like Haroon are walking away to join the pro' game.

"The Pakistan team doesn't even have a physio or nutritionist due to costs. And look at us abusing and wasting the lottery funding when fighters are not treated fair. It's all a waste. Haroon had no lottery funding, no international experience, camps or training.

"I'm happy regardless [of] if he wins the gold medal. I just wanted him to prove to the England selectors they should have picked him. "This proves one thing Bob: you can't select a good team."

McCracken countered Khan's accusations though, insisting he picked the strongest flyweights on paper. "Haroon has done well," he said. "But to suggest our policy on selection is based on anything other than merit is not supported by the facts."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.