Serbian Olympian Nemanja Majdov has been banned for five months after refusing to apologize for making a religious gesture before he competed in Paris

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

A judo champion has been suspended for five months for making the sign of the cross during the Olympics this summer. Nemanja Majdov has been suspended by the International Judo Federation (IJF) for ‘having shown a clear religious sign when entering the field of play’.

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.