Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine receives 10-year ban for withdrawing from Olympics to avoid Israel

Algerian Fethi Nourine and his coach have been suspended for 10 years by the International Judo Federation (IJF) for withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics after the draw set him on course for a bout against an Israeli.

The 30-year-old was due to face Sudan's Mohamed Abdalrasool for his first bout in the men's 73kg class and a victory would have paired him with Israel's Tohar Butbul in the next round. Nourine said his political support for the Palestinian cause made it impossible for him to compete against Butbul.