The Iranian judo federation has been placed under a protective ban because of the case of the escaped Iranian judokase Saeid Mollaei. According to the International Judo Federation IJF athletes of the Association are no longer allowed to participate in international competitions and all other IJF activities.
Saeid Mollaei did not return to his native Tokyo after the Tokyo World Cup because he claimed to have resisted an order from Deputy Iranian Minister of Sport Davar Zani and other officials.
Mollaei should not have competed against the Belgian Matthias Casse in the semifinals in the class up to 81 kilograms, so he could not meet in the final on the Israeli judoka Sagi Muki. Mollaei fought anyway, but lost, according to his own words on purpose.
Barrier is effective immediately, Iran can pull in front of the Cas
The International Judo Association supports Mollaeis statements. Iranian team manager Majid Zareian had said to the British "Guardian", however, everything had been designed from the outset that Mollaei should fight against a participant from Israel. He denied that there had been pressure from Iran.
See here an interview with Saeid Mollaei:
AFP
A request from SPIEGEL to the National Olympic Committee of Iran remained unanswered. According to news portal Khabar-Online, NOK leader Reza Salehi Amiri said: "I have already notified Mollaei and assured him that he should not be worried about himself and his family if he returns." Mollaei did not trust this promise and fled to Germany.
The IJF made a clear statement: The actions of the Iranian Association in the case of Mollaei had violated several statutes and rules, according to the international judo association. The protective ban applies immediately, Iran's association can appeal against the decision appeal to the International Court of Justice Cas.
For several decades, Iranian athletes have been against Israeli opponents time and again because Iran does not recognize Israel as a state. In the past, too, there have been sudden injuries or other incidents in Judo, so that Iranians could avoid duels with Israelis.