KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Two Malaysian shuttlers were given lengthy bans by the Badminton World Federation on Wednesday for match fixing.
Tan Chun Seang and Zulfadli Zulkiffli have been suspended from competing in badminton for 15 and 20 years respectively for breaching the BWF Code of Conduct in Relation to Betting, Wagering and Irregular Match Results, the world badminton governing body said in a statement.
The two Malaysians were also banned from any involvement in badminton for 15 and 20 years respectively. The bans cover administrative, coaching, officiating, and developmental functions. In addition, Tan was fined 15,000 U.S. dollars, while Zulfadli was fined 25,000 U.S. dollars by a BWF Ethics Hearing Panel.
The hearing was held earlier this year.
In reaching their decision, the three-member independent panel found that Tan committed 26 violations of the 2012 Code of Conduct in Relation to betting, wagering and irregular match results.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Zulfadli was found guilty of committing 27 violations of the 2012 Code of Conduct in relation to betting, wagering and irregular match results and four violations of the 2016 Code of Conduct in relation to betting wagering and irregular match results, the BWF said.
The independent Panel noted that both players “engaged in corruption offences over a significant period and a significant number of tournaments” dating back to 2013 but that Zulfadli had “committed more violations over a longer timeframe than Tan” and had “been proven to have manipulated the results of four matches," it added.
The suspensions begin from 12 January 2018 – the date on which both players were provisionally suspended by the BWF.
Zulfadli won the World Junior Championships title in 2011 after defeating Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, current world No. 1 in men's singles. Tan was a member the Malaysian national team in men's singles.
