Algeria’s women’s goalball team have arrived in Rio after forfeiting their first two matches, including one against Israel which led to suggestions their absence was politically motivated.

The International Paralympic Committee is continuing to investigate after the five players and two coaches failed to fulfil matches with the United States on Friday evening and Israel a day later.

Reports have suggested it was due to political tensions between the north African nation and Israel.

The Algeria national Paralympic committee claimed the group had transport trouble leaving their training camp in Poland on September 5.

“The Algerian women’s goalball team have arrived,” IPC spokesperson Craig Spence said on Sunday.

“We are optimistic they will play their games against Japan on Monday and Brazil on Tuesday.

“They are still sticking to their story that they suffered the worst transport issues known to man. Whether we believe it is a question mark and we are looking into it.

“There are a lot of suspicions about their actions. We have to have sufficient evidence to back up any suspicions.

“If we took the highest action with disqualification, it is likely to end up in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“Currently the evidence we have is their story that they missed their flight.”

IPC officials were scheduled to meet the Algeria team on Sunday and Spence expressed frustration at their absence, as another team was prevented from playing.

He added: “I am really annoyed by the actions. It does not take six days to come to Rio.

“There are teams of goalball players who have not qualified, who could have come here. The Algerians have missed out on two games.”