The Algerian women's goalball team has escaped with a slap on the wrist for forfeiting two games at the Paralympics, and Australia's coach isn't happy.
The Algerian side missed their first two games against the US and Israel, and only arrived in Rio on Sunday (Monday AEST) after a six-day journey.
The five players and two coaches claimed they suffered horrendous flight delays, but there are suspicions Algeria pulled the stunt as a political protest against Israel.
Australian goalball coach Peter Corr slammed Algeria's "disrespectful" actions, saying they were making a mockery of the Paralympic movement.
"Algeria have kept another team away in my opinion and they inhibited our preparation," he said.
"You work for four years, invest your life. This should be the pinnacle of our sport. I think this has possibly put a shadow on that and I would like that to be for legitimate reasons."
The International Paralympic Committee is investigating but says it needs concrete evidence to disqualify Algeria.
In a meeting on Tuesday, Algeria was unable to provide any proof of why they were late, but the International Blind Sports Federation accepted their apology without sanction.
The Arab-Israeli conflict has sparked several sporting boycotts against Israel over the years from Muslim countries.
Middle Eastern politics spilled onto the judo mat at last month's Olympics when Egypt's Islam El Shehaby refused to shake hands with his winning opponent, Or Sasson of Israel.
The Aussie Belles only got a late call-up to the Games ten days out from the opening ceremony to take Russia's spot after the entire country was banned for doping.
Their fairytale journey came to an end on Tuesday when Australia went down 6-0 to Canada in their final pool match, knocking them out of the competition.
"I couldn't be more proud of these girls. They've turned their lives upside down to represent Australia," Corr said.
The visually impaired athletes are accustomed to playing in complete silence in order to hear a ball containing bells.
Brazilian fans, who have ripped up traditional crowd etiquette and brought a loud soccer culture to the Games with plenty of booing and chanting, were on their best behaviour.
But supporters still had to be told to quieten down several times.
Corr said while he would prefer a perfectly silent game to help the athletes, big audiences were good for the growing sport.
"If you've got 5000 people in the stadium watching goalball... let's bring the crowds in and watch a good game," he said.
