Pair probed for match-fixing

Two Malaysian badminton players are being investigated for suspected match-fixing by the sport’s governing body and could be banned for life if found guilty, an official said on Wednesday.

The Badminton World Federation is probing the pair over alleged fixing that happened about two years ago, said Norza Zakaria, president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia.

Zakaria refused to disclose the identities of the players under investigation, but The Star newspaper reported one of them used to be a top junior player and the other had taken part in the Thomas Cup, a prestigious international team event.