PARIS, May 20: A player from Yemen and another from Saudi Arabia are to be questioned by the table tennis world championship organisers after refusing to play against an Israeli competitor.

The pair must appear before the Bercy championship’s disciplinary committee Wednesday after an official protest at their decision to boycott matches against Gay Elensky was lodged by the Israeli delegation.

Elensky, 19, was due to play a men’s singles qualifier on Monday against Hani Al-Hammadi but was handed the match when the Yemeni turned up but elected not to compete when he saw who his competitor was to be.

On Tuesday, Elensky was down to meet Nabeel Al-Magahwi of Saudi Arabia but again he was handed victory without having to raise his bat in anger.

Al-Magahwi and Al-Hammadi did turn up to play their scheduled game against each other.

Before entering the championships each team chief signs a declaration that their players will be ready to take on anyone.—Reuters