STUTTGART, Germany -- Five rhythmic gymnastics judges at the 2014 world championships have been sanctioned for biased judging.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) says three judges received a warning for "partisan judging" while two were suspended -- one for six months, the other for three -- for allegedly favouring gymnasts from their own countries at the championships in Izmir, Turkey.
FIG did not give the names of the judges, who can appeal within 21 days of being notified of the sanction.
FIG's disciplinary commission said "it is crucial for the sport of gymnastics that judges are at all times acting and seen to be acting in an independent, unbiased and competent manner."
Scoring analysis is undertaken so that "results are in perfect harmony with the existing code of points."
Twenty-six judges were commended.
