(ATR) The United Arab Emirates has withdrawn from the 2015 Men’s Handball World Championships.
UAE is the second team to withdraw from the championship after Bahrain pulled out last Friday.
"The case will be handled by the Council of the International Handball Federation in its next meeting scheduled for 21 November 2015," the IHF said in a release.
Requests for comment from the IHF were not returned.
According to a report in the AP, the move could be motivated by political factors.
Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia pulled their diplomats from Qatar last March over the Qatari government supporting Islamist factions across the Middle East.
The 2015 Men’s Handball World Championships will take place from January 15 to February 1 in Doha and Lusail, Qatar.
Written by Aaron Bauer
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