World Sailing are seeking to introduce sanctions should future events fail to meet conditions ©World Sailing

World Sailing has condemned the “unacceptable events” at the Youth World Sailing Championship in Langkawi, which saw the Israel Sailing Association (ISA) withdraw from the competition in Malaysia after they were denied visas.

Windsurfers Yoav Omer, the boys' under-19 gold medallist at the 2014 Youth Sailing World Championships in Gdynia, Poland, double youth world champion Noy Drihan and coach Meir Yaniv were due to travel to the event, which was held from December 27 to January 3.

However, the ISA eventually opted not to send them to Malaysia, claiming that they withdrew due to a number of crackdowns on the country.

As well as being refused visas, they claim to have been told that they could not compete under their country’s flag, and would not be able to display any Israeli symbol or logo on their surfboards or clothes.

Another allegation was that organisers had banned the Israeli national anthem if one of their competitors won a gold medal.

Having withdrawn the sailors, ISA chairman Gili Amir revealed they were investigating the prospect of filing a lawsuit against governing body World Sailing.

In response, a member of World Sailing’s Executive Committee travelled to Malaysia “to investigate this issue and seek clarification from the Malaysian Organising Authority”.

The Executive Committee have now met to “urgently consider" what happened with World Sailing vice-president Gary Jobson releasing a statement on their behalf and promising changes.

Israel withdrew their two windsurfers and coach from the regatta
Israel withdrew their two windsurfers and coach from the regatta ©World Sailing

He said that in future steps would be taken to avoid a repeat of what happened in Malaysia, with sanctions a possibility for countries which don't tow the line. 

“In future the organisers, member national authorities, regional organisations, national organisations, international classes etc, of all international sailing competitions, will be required to comply with specific conditions to ensure that all competitors from all countries can participate equally," said Jobson.

“If these conditions are not met, specific sanctions will be applied to any future international sailing competitions held in that country.”

World Sailing have stated that details of the conditions are due to be published next week.

Israel has had visa issues in the sporting world in the past, particularly from mostly-Muslim states which do not recognise the country.

In November, the country's flag was banned from the International Judo Federation Grand Slam event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.