Israeli junior fencers snubbed by Saudi Arabians in world cup event
The Saudi Arabia team didn't show up for the first contest of the day against the Israelis, who were handed a win, but were left with a bitter taste in their mouths.
By ALLON SINAIIsrael's junior epee fencing team(photo credit: ISRAEL FENCING ASSOCIATION)
Israel's junior epee fencing team ended the world cup competition in Basel, Switzerland in eighth place on Sunday, but the event was marred by yet another unsporting incident by representatives of an Arab country which doesn't have diplomatic relations with Israel.The Saudi Arabia team didn't show up for the first contest of the day against the Israelis, who were handed a win, but were left with a bitter taste in their mouths.Dr. Vladimir Shklar of Israel, who was named in November as the new President of the European Fencing Confederation (EFC), said he will not let the incident go unnoticed."This may not be a new phenomenon, but it doesn't make it any less serious," said Shklar. "In two weeks I'll raise the issue in the International Fencing Federation executive committee meeting in Lausanne and demand urgent action. I've fought this in the past and will continue to fight this unsporting phenomenon."