The country was initially suspended in October 2014 when the ETU became aware that the statutes of the Federation were not in compliance with the continental governing body, or those of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

Submissions were made to the WTF, but they found "insufficient reason" to overturn the decision against the Swedish Taekwondo Federation (STF).

Now, with no resolution in sight, the country has been removed from the organisation completely, although safeguards are in place to ensure that athletes can still compete at events including the Rio Olympics this year.

However, they will only be allowed to take part under the flags of the ETU or WTF.

The ETU said their decision to revoke Sweden's membership came despite peace talks in October leading to a lift of the suspension.

The organisation said this was done in "good faith" but that the STF had not held up their end of the bargain and made changes.

The issue appears to boil down to the existence of a second organisation in the country, the Swedish Takewondo Union.

"The ETU Council unanimously decided that the Swedish Taekwondo Federation’s membership is revoked with immediate effect," said an ETU statement.

"Based on article 15 of the statutes of ETU, the Council revoked their membership.

"Since the beginning of 2014, the STF is not in compliance with the WTF and ETU statutes.

"ETU discussed the matter with the Federation at first, but when no progress was made, the WTF got involved in the case.

"At a tripartite meeting in Lausanne, a solution was almost reached but the STF bailed out at the last moment.

"Since 2014, three different presidents have been leading the Federation.

"In October of 2015, the ETU president had a meeting with the Swedish National Olympic Committee President to solve the case.

"They reached an agreement and ETU lifted the suspension of the Federation and as a sign of good faith.

"However, such a sign of good faith – e.g. the General Assembly approving the way forward - was not delivered by the STF.

"The board of STF has not done anything for nearly two years to resolve the situation. 

"And promises were not fulfilled.

"The only thing that happened is that the board of the STF brought other organisations to our meetings, but the fact still remains that the board of the STF for almost two years has not done anything to remedy the problems it created."