ITTF chief executive Judit Farago has been suspended on full pay ©ITTF

International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) chief executive Judit Farago has been suspended and put on paid leave by the body's Executive Committee, insidethegames can reveal.

A reason has not yet been given for the move,

A final decision is expected to be taken on the Hungarian's future after the World Championships, due to begin in Düsseldorf on May 29 and scheduled to conclude on June 5.

Her suspension is believed to be related to a breakdown in relations with Thomas Weikert, the German who replaced Canadian Adham Sharara as ITTF President in 2014.

insidethegames has been told that this marks the first time that an ITTF staff member has been suspended.

"The ITTF Executive Committee can confirm that the ITTF chief executive Ms Judit Farago has been suspended and put on paid leave until the end of the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships," the world governing body told insidethegames in a statement today.

"This decision was taken with a majority vote by the ITTF Executive Committee in the best interest of the Federation heading into the very important World Championships.

"A decision on the long-term future of Ms Farago will be taken after the World Championships.

"The ITTF is now fully focused on delivering an outstanding Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships later this month for a true international celebration of the sport and its great athletes."

In her absence, deputy chief executive Glenn Tapper is responsible for general ITTF matters and staffing and director of operations Raul Calin is in charge of World Championships, finance and Lausanne offices.

Marketing and commercial director Steve Dainton is spearheading marketing matters and Singapore offices.

Judit Farago has served alongside Germany's Thomas Weikert as the International Table Tennis Federation's chief executive since he became its President in 2014 ©Getty Images
Judit Farago has served alongside Germany's Thomas Weikert as the International Table Tennis Federation's chief executive since he became its President in 2014 ©Getty Images

Farago, a former table tennis player, was elected as the ITTF's first ever female executive vice-president in 2003.

She switched from being an elected official to a professional staff position when appointed director of its new competition department in 2008.

Farago was appointed chief executive in 2011. 

"I am suspended and not in a position to give meaningful, substantive reply," Farago told insidethegames.

Her lawyers have not yet responded to a request for comment.

Weikert is standing for election for the first time in a bid to serve four more years in the role in Düsseldorf at the ITTF Annual General Meeting on May 31.

Belgium's former world number one Jean-Michel Saive is his only rival.

Qatari contender Khalil Al-Mohannadi has withdrawn in order to focus upon defending his position as vice-president.