D-day for two shuttlers suspected of match-fixing

PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are expecting a verdict today on two independent shuttlers suspected of match-fixing.

They have requested the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to announce the outcome of a two-day hearing of the two shuttlers – Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Tan Chun Seang – before the BAM’s special session with the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) tomorrow. All the BAM players, except those competing abroad, will sign an anti-corruption pledge after a 30-minute briefing session with an MACC representative and that will be followed by BAM’s council meeting and Annual General Meeting (AGM).

“We’ve asked the BWF to announce the finding of the two-day hearing before our session with MACC on Saturday (tomorrow),” said BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria.

“The world body have given an indication that it will be done by the end of this week.

“The panel’s report will give us a clearer picture on the match-fixing incident. We can then brief our shuttlers on the dos and don’ts.

“We’ve a zero tolerance on match-fixing, gambling and corruption ... we want our players to be committed to this.”

Zulfadli and Chun Seang, alleged to be involved in match-fixing, attended a two-day hearing in Singapore on Feb 26-27, accompanied by their respective lawyers.

A three-member panel questioned the shuttlers at length in a first such case under BWF’s jurisdiction. A detailed report was submitted immediately but the world body have yet to announce the verdict.

It’s unsure whether the world body have enough evidence to ban the shuttlers but if the players are found guilty, they could be looking at a life ban.

It could affect their careers as Chun Seang is currently involved in a coaching stint in Melbourne while world No. 72 Zulfadli, who has not played in any tournament since the Thailand Masters in January, may lose all his sponsors.