Nourine's coach Amar Benikhlef is also suspended for ten years.

When they dropped out of the Olympic tournament before the first match, they expressed their sympathy for the Palestinian people.

Israel's Tohar Butbul also avoided facing a Sudanese, who referred to injury, before reaching the quarterfinals and being knocked out.

The Algerian Olympic Committee immediately sent the duo home from Tokyo at the same time as the International Judo Federation launched an investigation, writes AP.

"Evil intentions"

"It is clear that the two Algerian judokas, with malicious intent, have used the Olympic Games as a platform for protest and the promotion of political and religious propaganda, which is a clear and serious violation of the statutes, ethical rules and the Olympic Charter." writes the International Judo Federation in its verdict, which is among the toughest one can hand out.

"Therefore, no penalty other than a tangible suspension can be imposed in this case."

The suspension will most likely end 30-year-old Nourine's career.