The International Judo Federation has sanctioned the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, following the invasion of Ukraine.
IJU, in a statement on Sunday, said,
“In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Vladimir Putin’s status as honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation.”
Putin, a judo player, has reached the level of black belt, and he is considered a friend of the IJU president, Marius Vizer, and the European governing body, led by Russian Sergey Soloveychik.
Russia is becoming increasingly isolated in the sports world even as the planned judo grand slam slated for May in Kazan was cancelled on Friday.
However, the global football governing body, FIFA, has yet to respond to the increasing concern on the development.
In view of the fight, Poland and Sweden said that they would not play against Russia in the play-offs for the World Cup in Qatar.
European football ruling body, UEFA, also indicated that matches would not be played in Russia or Ukraine.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, interim president of the German federation, said it was “dirty money” that “we cannot take any more.”
In a reaction, Presidential candidate Peter Peters said it was “a clear yes” to ending the cooperation.
Some nations said that they would not travel to Russia to take part in volleyball which is considering a major event in Russia with the men’s world championships scheduled for August.
(dpa/NAN).
