Islamic Republic of Iran on Wednesday has been suspended from future judo competitions by the international federation over its policy of boycotting Israeli athletes and violating the rules.
The move came in relations with the case of Saed Mollaei, an Iranian champion who refused to go back home and stayed in Europe after Iran was forcing him to avoid matching with an Israeli athlete.
Mollaei has been under huge pressure from Iranian sides, the International Judo Federation (IJf) revealed at that time.
In a statement, IJF revealed on Wednesday that “the Commission note that similar actions were observed by the past. During the 2004 Olympic Games the actual President of the Iran Judo Federation, Mr. Arash MIRESMAEILI, has been instructed by the Iranian authorities to withdraw from competing to avoid a potential contest against an Israeli athlete. The same situation happened also during the 2019 Paris Grand Slam regarding Mr. Saeid MOLLAEI.”
The statement has also declared that Iran shows no interest in respecting the rules in future.
“The Commission has 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,” said the statement.
It has also added that the federation imposes “a protective suspension [against Iran] from all competitions, administrative and social activities organized or authorized by International Judo Federation and its Unions, started from 18 September 2019 to the final Commission decision regarding this case.”
