IJF bans Iran for ordering athlete to withdraw from World Judo Tourney

*To avoid meeting Israeli judoka

Iran has been banned by the International Judo Federation (IJF)
after it ordered Saeid Mollaei to pull out of the World
Championships in Japan.

Defending champion Mollaei ignored calls to withdraw from his
match against Russia’s Khasan Khalmurzaev to avoid the prospect of
facing Israel’s Sagi Muki later in the tournament.

Iranian athletes are prohibited from competing in any sport
against Israel.

Mollaei lost in the semi-finals and has since been living in
Germany.

Earlier in 2019, the National Olympic Committee of Iran had said
it would comply with the Olympic charter and the International Judo
Federation (IJF), paving the way for Iranian athletes to compete
against Israelis.

But the IJF said Iran’s actions at the World Championships in
Japan were a “gross contradiction” to these assurances.

The case was referred to the IJF Disciplinary Commission, who
said there was a “strong reason to believe that the Iran Judo
Federation will continue or repeatedly engage in misconduct or
commit any other offence against the legitimate interests,
principles or objectives of the IJF”.

Iran can appeal against the decision to the Court of Arbitration
for Sport.

After the tournament Mollaei said he feared for his family’s
safety, reports the BBC.

Speaking to the BBC Persian Service earlier this week, he said:
“In Tokyo I left the arena with tears in my eyes.

“I will never forget what happened there. I could have achieved
my third world championship medal and my second gold medal. I was
so ready and prepared for this.”

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