Temperatures at the Tianhe Gymnasium in the Chinese city of Guangzhou soared from 27 degree celsius to 32 degrees in the second game of the final between the sport's two fiercest rivals, but the Chinese organisers have strenuously denied accusations that the air conditioning was switched off after the world number one Lee had won the first game.

Tensions were high between the pair prior the match after Lee publicly slammed the decision to award the now five-time world champion Lin a wild card to the tournament despite the fact he had only competed once since winning the men's singles gold medal match at London 2012.

But after yet another painful final defeat to his rival, adding to the silver medals he had already been condemned to by Lin at the Asian Games, two Olympic Games, two All England Championships and a World Championships, Lee's coach blamed the sweltering conditions in the arena on the withdrawal of his player through cramp, though he was on the brink of defeat when he retired. 

Lee Chong Wei was taken off on a stretcher after withdrawing from the men's singles World Championship final against Lin Dan

"They played really well and it all boiled down to who was mentally stronger," said Malaysian singles coach Tey following the final, which ended 16-21, 21-13, 20-17 after his player withdrew.

"A defeat is a defeat, I can accept it, but I cannot tolerate the organisers switching off the air conditioner in the second game.

"It was so hot inside and Chong Wei was dehydrated.

"This led to him suffering cramps.

"During the second game when we realised that it was too hot, we wanted to protest and we asked for an explanation from both the BWF (Badminton World Federation) and the organisers.

"Both BWF and the organisers said that they did not know why the air conditioner was switched off.

"The organisers said that they were not responsible as it was handled by another department.

"This is not right- the players were suffering.

"At one point, Chong Wei was struggling to breathe."

The BWF have since moved to release a statement in response to the claims made by Tey, and it appears that the excuses for the dramatic rise in temperature given by the organisers have been accepted by the sport's world governing body.

"BWF enquired about the air-conditioning system during the men's singles final and also post-tournament," said the statement.

"The LOC (Local Organising Committee) confirmed that the air-conditioners in the venue were not turned off at any time during the finals, though they were set on low right from the beginning of the day [Sunday].

"However, due to the increase in the number of spectators on the final day - particularly during the men's singles match - the temperature went up and the venue became hotter."

But the excuses have done little to cool the ill-feeling from the Malaysian camp.

Lin Dan added a fifth World Championship title to his trophy cabinet with his controversial win against Lee Chong Wei

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) sent an official letter to the BWF demanding an explanation for the conditions provided in the men's final earlier this week, but BAM secretary Ng Chin Chaiis has been left unsatisfied with the response.

"We sent a letter to [BWF secretary general] Thomas Lund, the China BA (Badminton Association) and the tournament referee," he said.

"The live commentator [Gillian Clark] stated that the air-conditioners were turned off and the Malaysian media picked on it.

"We wanted them [BWF, China BA and the referee] to advise us on what actually transpired.

"We wanted the BWF to investigate.

"Now, we have been enlightened by the statement from the organisers.

"I was present at the stadium and I find it hard to accept their explanation."

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