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Posted at 7:51 a.m., Friday, March 13, 2009

Wrestling body suspends Albanian Federation

Associated Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland — Wrestling's world governing body suspended the Albanian federation on Friday because the government has interfered in running the sport.

The international federation, known as FILA, said the Albanian sports ministry had recognized a rival national wrestling organization without asking permission of the country's Olympic officials.

"It was decided that only a national federation formed by an elective assembly supervised by the Albanian National Olympic Committee and FILA could be recognized," FILA said in a statement. "FILA decided to suspend the Albanian federation until further notice."

During the suspension, Albanian wrestlers, judges and officials will not be allowed to take part in international competitions and the country will not be allowed to host international events.