Josef Alami’s suspension is lifted

Josef Alami’s suspension has aroused strong feelings in Swedish martial arts.

Now comes a drastic turn:

The decision is revoked with immediate effect.

From the beginning, only one reason was given for Josef Alami’s one-year suspension from the national taekwondo team. In an email, the branch union STU’s president Fresia Pérez wrote that the 22-year-old was punished for a critical interview in SVT in March.

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When Sportbladet asked questions about the matter, new accusations came: according to STU, the seven-time Swedish champion has, among other things, stolen clothes and refused to pose with the Swedish flag, which he himself firmly denies.

Active has quit

The penalty came without Alami being allowed to speak or even knowing that a case against him had been started. In protest, he turned to the Swedish Sports Confederation (RIN) and the Swedish Taekwondo Federation (STF).

After the writings, activists and leaders have rallied behind Josef Alami and demanded change.

And now the STF lifts the suspension. “The federal board has decided to remove and resend the case concerning Josef Alami (…) due to formal errors” they write in a press release.

Swedish taekwondo has a complicated structure where STF is the superior branch union STU and SIF. Therefore, they have the right to revoke a decision made at a lower level. A form error, they call the suspension, and gives Josef Alami the right to compete for the national team again with immediate effect.

“Offended and disappointed”

What this means concretely for the 22-year-old remains to be seen, because registration for the EC in Serbia in May is closed and Josef’s investment is on hold. Formally, he can appeal the selection notice to RIN, but time is running out and Josef Alami still believes that the luck has cost him a given EC ticket.

– I don’t know if I should celebrate. It’s nice that everyone can see that I was right, but the damage is still done. I am insulted and disappointed that STU could throw out such accusations without evidence, says Josef Alami.

How are you?

– All preparations since the beginning of the year have been in vain. Time, energy, money. Blood, sweat, tears. I gave everything to be able to compete at the EC and now that dream has been taken from me. I have not done anything wrong. Who will replace me now? I am devastated.

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