Algerian Judoka Disqualified From Olympics Before Bout Against Israeli

FILE - Victor Sterpu of Moldova, background and Tohar Butbul of Israel compete during their men’s -73kg round of 16 judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, July 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, FIle)
FILE - Victor Sterpu of Moldova, background and Tohar Butbul of Israel compete during their men’s -73kg round of 16 judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, July 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, FIle)
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Algerian Judoka Disqualified From Olympics Before Bout Against Israeli

FILE - Victor Sterpu of Moldova, background and Tohar Butbul of Israel compete during their men’s -73kg round of 16 judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, July 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, FIle)
FILE - Victor Sterpu of Moldova, background and Tohar Butbul of Israel compete during their men’s -73kg round of 16 judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, July 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, FIle)

Algerian judoka Messaoud Redouane Dris was disqualified on Sunday for exceeding the weight limit the day before his Olympic 73 kg bout against Israeli Tohar Butbul, organizers said.

The 22-year-old weighed in at 73.4 kg in Paris, resulting in him being removed from the draw by the international judo federation.

Organizers said in a statement that Dris had "failed the weigh-in" and therefore his opponent would "win the scheduled contest by walkover".

In the past several other judokas have pulled out or refused to compete against Israeli opponents.

The Algerian national Olympic committee declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

"Tohar's competitor has removed himself from the competition," the Israeli Olympic Committee said in a statement.

Dris's compatriot Fethi Nourine was sent home from the Tokyo Olympics three years ago for refusing to fight Butbul.

"We worked a lot to reach the Olympics... but the Palestinian cause is bigger than all of this," Nourine said at the time.

At least 39,258 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched a military campaign in retaliation for an attack on October 7 last year by Hamas militants, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry.

 



Former Argentina Coach Sampaoli Takes Over at French Club Rennes

FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )
FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )
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Former Argentina Coach Sampaoli Takes Over at French Club Rennes

FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )
FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )

Former Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli is taking over at French league side Rennes.
The 64-year-old is returning to French soccer following a previous stint with Marseille.
Rennes said late Monday that Sampaoli signed a 1 1/2-year contract, The Associated Press reported.
Sampaoli, who was in charge of Argentina at the 2018 World Cup, replaces Julien Stephan, who was dismissed last week.
Rennes is looking for a jolt after a mediocre spell that saw the team slump to 13th place in the standings, 18 points behind leader Paris Saint-Germain after 11 matches.
“He is a coach who is recognized internationally for his professionalism and humanism,” said Arnaud Pouille, the executive chairman and managing director at Rennes. “He has a strong attachment to his players and staff, and is a loyal and committed man. We need his energy to get the club moving again and to face the competition with determination.”
The much-traveled Sampaoli has also coached clubs in Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Spain and Brazil.
Sampaoli abruptly left Marseille in July 2022 after leading the team back to the Champions League, over a disagreement related to the club's transfers of players.