Recently the United World Wrestling federation announced that it will be penalizing Iranian wrestler who was urged by his coach to lose:
In one clip, a voice – allegedly Karimi-Machiani’s trainer, can be heard saying “lose Alireza”, as the Iranian is winning. The trainer then stops the match to speak privately with the wrestler who then loses the match 3-14.
Now the officials have reached a conclusion.
UWW reports:
The chamber found that Karimachiani, on instruction of his coach Jamshidi, willfully lost his 1/8 finals match against Alikhan ZHABRILOV (RUS). Both wrestler and coach were found to have acted in direct violation of the International Wrestling Rules (Article 15) and the UWW Disciplinary Regulations (Articles 3, 7.2, 9.2).
Karimachiani is banned from competition six months from the date of infraction and eligible to compete on May 23, 2018. Coach Jamshidi is banned for two years and eligible to coach on November 23, 2019.
Iranian wrestler Alireza Karimi about to beat Russian, but will have to face Israeli next round. His coach his calling him from the sidelines, telling him to “lose.” Iran forbids its athletes to play Israeli’s. Iranian wrestler gives up. pic.twitter.com/nX9KHaH8Jn
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) November 27, 2017
Rasoul Khadem, an Olympic gold medallist for Iran, was re-elected as president of the Wrestling Federation just two months ago – released a cryptic message yahoosports reports:
“I cannot lie. Sometimes the best way to take a stand is not to stand,” he wrote.
“If we must continue with the policy of non-competition against the Zionist regime’s athletes, the responsibility cannot fall on the shoulders of the coach and the athlete,” he said on public radio, according to ISNA.
He said a “fundamental solution” needed to be reached by the Supreme Council for National Security.
“Forcing an athlete to accept defeat or run around all night looking for a doctor’s note is not right,” he added.
He had previously told ISNA that, if the country’s policy was to avoid Israeli rivals then it should “behave honestly and… accept the consequences”.
Meanwhile supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised Karimi Mashiani for throwing his bout in November.
“I truly feel proud of such behaviour that shows a young man, among our nation, is ready to sacrifice his desires and his right to earn a championship for the sake of a great, high goal.”
