ALGIERS (Dispatches) – An Algerian athlete has received a 10-year suspension from the International Judo Federation (IJF) following his refusal to face a Zionist competitor at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Fethi Nourine, 30, and his coach Amar Benikhlef, have been banned from participating in any activities or competitions organized by the body for 10 years, the judo body told Middle East Eye on Friday.
The IJF accused the Algerians of using the international sporting event as a “platform for propaganda”, and of doing so “with malicious intent”.
“For the IJF disciplinary commission, it is evident that the two Algerian Judoka with malicious intent have used the Olympic Games as a platform for protest and promotion of political and religious propaganda, which is a clear and very serious breach of the IJF statutes, the IJF code of ethics and the Olympic Charter,” the IJF said in a statement.
“Therefore, no other penalty than a severe suspension can be imposed in this case.”
“On these grounds, the IJF disciplinary commission pronounces against Nourine and Benikhlef ten (10) years suspension each from all events and activities organized or authorized by the International Judo Federation and its unions, started from 23 July 2021 until 23 July 2031.”
The decision “has immediate effect” and is subject to appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the statement added.
Before Friday’s statement, both Nourine and Benkhlef had already been placed under temporary suspension by the IJF.
Nourine, who was set to compete in the men’s under 73kg judo competition, announced his decision to withdraw just one day before the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony.
The athlete was set to fight Sudan’s Mohamed Abdalrasool on 26 July in the first round. If he won, he would have proceeded to a potential clash with Israel’s Tohar Butbul.
Nourine said his support for the Palestinian cause made it impossible for him to compete against Butbul.
After returning to Algeria in July, Nourine told reporters: “My coach and I took the decision together and I am proud of it. This decision honors me first, honors my family, and honors the Algerian people and the Algerian state, because President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared to the world that we do not consent to normalization, and we support the Palestinian cause.”