Iran’s Judo Federation on Tuesday appealed the four-year suspension from international competitions, ruled out after its athletes refused to face rivals from Israel.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS, for its acronym in French) indicated that the appeal against the decision of the International Judo Federation was made through a videoconference. The verdict is expected in the next few weeks.
The world governing body made the decision against the Iranian federation after former world champion Saeid Mollaei resigned from the team, arguing that he was ordered to lose the 2019 World Cup matches to avoid facing a rival from Israel.
Mollaei fled to Germany fearing for her safety in Iran and subsequently received permission from the International Olympic Committee to compete for Mongolia. At the Tokyo Olympics he won the silver medal in 81 kilograms.
The IJF (the acronym for the international federation) first imposed an indefinite suspension against the Federation of Iran, until they modified their discrimination policies. This decision was reversed by the CAS and the case was sent back to the international body, which in April opted for a four-year suspension.
The provisional suspension, which could be revoked if Iran’s authorities allow its athletes to compete freely, will run until September 2023.
