Saeid Mollaei told the International Judo Federation that he received several calls from high-ranking people in his home country who forced him to lose the match. The reason should have been that Iran and Israel are in conflict and they did not want a final to take place where Saeid Mollaei would be set against an Israeli.

MMA fighter Reza Madadi, who has not gone a match in two years and who has retired from the martial arts, now chooses to make a comeback and go a match in Super No-gi. The 41-year-old will be attending a gala in Solna on November 16 and meet an Israeli, Moshe Ben Shimol. A position from

- The whole story got me going. I want to put an end to this once and for all. This match in the Solnahallen has a strong message and it is that sports should not be associated with religion and politics. Therefore, I will come back one last time to end it. By meeting an Israel, we show the whole world that two elite athletes should be able to compete despite different religions and cultures and then be able to leave as friends after the match, says Madadi.