Badminton World Federation bans four Chinese doubles players for ‘irregular match results’ at 2018 Fuzhou China Open
- World governing body’s independent hearing panel strips He, Tan, Li and Liu of prize money after investigation
- ‘Another absolutely embarrassing all-Chinese match,’ Danish player Vittinghus wrote at the time
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) issued bans to four Chinese men’s doubles stars for violating its code of conduct at a mainland tournament three years ago.
He Jiting, Tan Qiang, Liu Yuchen and recently retired Li Junhui were found to have violated the BWF code of conduct over “betting wagering and irregular match results” at the Fuzhou China Open 2018, the governing said in a statement.
BWF’s independent hearing panel confirmed the bans from “all badminton-related activities to each player”.
The players are required to forfeit their respective prize money from the event – partners He and Tan’s winning amounted to US$12,250 and Li and Liu US$2,187.50.
The sentences have been suspended for a “probationary period of two years” starting on January 25, with any repeat offences within the probation causing the ban to take effect.
The athletes may appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration of Sport within the notice period, but BWF confirmed “no appeal was lodged”.
The Chinese Badminton Association released an official statement on the ruling, confirming the outcome and saying it “will continue to strengthen, educate and manage the team to ensure the athletes cherish every opportunity to compete.”
On November 2018, Li and Liu (former world No 1) played against He and Tan (former world No 10) in the men’s doubles quarter-finals in Fuzhou. He and Tan won 21-15, 14-21, 21-19.
An incident report was submitted by the allocated umpire and tournament referee after the match, both alleging the quartet “failed to use their best efforts to win the match”, according to the panel’s reasoned decision. They were originally alerted by two Danish badminton players watching from the sidelines.
Official reports recount that the players were addressed directly by the umpire mid-match to use their best efforts. “Following the intervention, the quality of the match and performance of the defendants significantly improved,” the reasoned decision read. All four players were interviewed in December, and the case was ultimately referred to the Panel.
China badminton body ‘fully supports’ BWF bans for pair over match-fixing
They were notified via the CBA of their charges of three code violations, including “failed to compete to achieve the best score”, “failed to encourage his partner to play to their best ability”, and “made deliberate errors”.
Danish player Hans-Kristian Vittinghus tweeted after the match in 2018.
“Another absolutely embarrassing all-Chinese match – Li/Liu vs He/Tan. Four players putting in zero effort to make it look like they actually play for it. Embarrassing for our sport once again!” Vittinghus wrote with a photo.
“21-15 in 9 minutes … I kid you not. Serves outside of the singles back line. Break between first and second game didn’t even last 45 seconds. Hopeless.
“So in the end they did actually play for the win in the final game. Level went from below amateur to normal Chinese high standard. Still not fair (and against the rules), but at least a little positive the result wasn’t fixed.”
After the hearing, the then- ranked world No 30 in the men’s singles tweeted, “3.5 years later these four have now received suspended 3-month bans for failing to use their best efforts”.
Coincidentally, Li and Liu were removed alongside the legendary singles player Lin Dan from the BWF world rankings, while He and Tan ranked 17th as of March 22.
He, 24, and Tan, 23, are the 2021 world championships silver-medallists. They also won the Sudirman Cup last October.
Liu and Li, both 26, are Tokyo Olympic silver medallists, the 2018 world champions and Asian Games gold medallists. Li announced his retirement last November owing to long-term injuries.
