‘More precisely, because of [making a sign of the cross] when entering a match at the Olympic Games. ‘I was banned from participating in all tournaments, camps and preparations. ‘True, in the defence letter of the disciplinary proceedings I did not ...

Serbian judo world champion Nemanja Majdov vowed not to apologize after he was hit with a five-month ban for making the sign of the cross before he competed at the Paris Olympics. Majdov was accused of violating the International Judo Federation’s religious code for “having shown a clear religious sign when entering the field of play” and was barred from participating in “all tournaments,

Serbian judo world champion and Olympian Nemanja Majdov has been banned for competing in the sport for five months, but says he will not apologize

Serbian athlete Nemanja Majdov, 28, has been left floored by a decision to suspend him for five months after he made the sign of the cross (right) while taking part in this year's Olympic Games.