Today, Saturday, the International Judo Federation decided to suspend the Algerian champion Fathi Norine and his coach, after he withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics before the start of the tournament, after the draw made him face a possible confrontation with an Israeli competitor.
The International Federation added - in a statement - that Noreen and his coach, Ammar bin Khalaf, announced to the media the withdrawal to avoid facing an Israeli competitor.
The International Judo Federation said that Noreen's withdrawal "completely contradicts the philosophy of the International Judo Federation, which has a strict policy on discrimination and promoting solidarity as a fundamental principle, which is reinforced by the values of judo."
The International Federation opened an investigation into the matter, which led to the temporary suspension of Noreen and his coach.
The International Federation indicated that the Algerian Olympic Committee withdrew the participation cards of Noureen and the coach and returned them to their countries with the application of penalties, but the International Federation did not clarify the penalties.
Reuters was unable to obtain a comment from Noreen.
Support for the Palestinian cause
Noreen had told Algerian media on Friday that his support for the Palestinian cause prevented him from confronting the Israeli Tohar Putboul.
Noreen, 30, would have faced Sudan's Mohamed Abdel-Rasoul on Monday in the opening qualifiers for the 73-kilogram weight category, with the winner facing the Israeli Potbol.
Noreen said, in statements to the local Al-Bilad channel, that "my position is consistent on the Palestinian issue, and I reject normalization, and if it cost me that absence from the Olympic Games, God will compensate us."
This is the fourth time that the Algerian champion has withdrawn against a competitor from Israel, as he withdrew from the third round of the World Judo Championship in 2019, which was also held in Japan to avoid facing the same player.
Noreen is one of the most famous wrestlers in Algeria and Africa, having previously won a number of championships, most notably the African Championship in the weight category of 73 kilograms in 2018.