Saudi golf rebels WILL be allowed to play in the Olympics

The IOC have no plans to ban the Saudi tour golf rebels from competing at the Olympics in another sign of the division that has gripped the sport. 

The PGA Tour have handed out indefinite suspensions to 17 golfers who are taking part in the inaugural event of the LIV Series at the Centurion Club this week, although many are expected to appeal.

The DP World Tour - formerly the European Tour - have yet to announce whether they will sanction players who have signed up to the Saudi Arabia-funded tour, but the PGA appear unlikely to get support from other sporting bodies. 

Sportsmail has learned that the IOC regard the issue as a private dispute between rival golf tours battling for commercial ascendency and have no plans to get involved.

The IOC are notoriously reluctant to bring political or ethical issues into sport, with president Thomas Bach this week criticising Wimbledon for their blanket ban on Russian and Belarussian players from this summer's Championships. 

As a result there will be no attempt to prevent LIV Series golfers competing at the Paris Olympics in 2024, qualification for which will be run by the International Golf Federation.