Athletes from Russia and Belarus should be able to compete under their flag, International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlov said on Friday, Reuters reported.

The IBA lifted its ban on Russian and Belarusian boxers last October, against International Olympic Committee (IOC) instructions, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 last year.

“They should participate. It should not be some privilege that is granted depending on the circumstances. Every international association should have these standards,” Kremlov told Reuters.

“We, as an international association, must protect every athlete. And we must understand that the most important thing for athletes is when they sing the national anthem and when they raise the flag of their country. The IOC can make recommendations. Their statute clearly states that punishing an athlete or violating his rights is not you can,” he says.

The IBA has opened disciplinary proceedings against a total of 11 countries over a planned boycott of the World Cup due to the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian boxers.

Kremlov’s disciplinary action covers USA Boxing CEO Mike McAtee, Boxing Canada president Ryan O’Shea, Czech Boxing Association president Marek Simak, Swedish Boxing Association president Per-Axel Sjöholm and Boxing New Zealand president Steve Hartley.

“We have a clear regulation on this. If someone plans to boycott or something similar, a disciplinary commission is waiting for him,” Kremlov added.

“No sports official has the right to set the borders of an athlete (country). If you do it (condemn the war), then you can participate,” he added.

Last year, the IOC raised the question of the possibility of excluding boxing from the Games in Paris 2024. Pending reforms imposed by the IOC.