The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has gone public with the allegations, made in June, after the players spoke to the media.

Both players "declined to get involved in match-fixing", said the BWF, who handed the probe over to police because the person "soliciting the players' involvement is a person outside the badminton community".

The alleged approach was made at the Japan Open in June.

Danes Hans Kristian Vittinghus, world number nine, and Kim Astrup, who with his doubles partner is ranked 22nd, are the players who say they were approached to fix matches.

The BWF says it was notified of the "approach" under its "whistle blower" system, and has been "cooperating fully" in the police's ongoing probe.

Hans Kristian Vittinghus is one of two players claiming to have been approached during June's Japan Open to fix matches ©Getty Images



BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer said: "BWF is acutely aware of the threats around match-fixing in general and that badminton, as well as other sports, can be targets for criminal activities related to illegal match fixing and illegal betting activities, which is a problem within our societies.

"It is, however, a very complex and sensitive area that may involve criminal syndicates which are not part of the badminton community, and as such match-fixing becomes a matter for the police authorities.

"The BWF has offered our full cooperation and assistance to the police authorities to resolve this case."

According to reports the players were approached by a Malaysian, but the BWF has not commented on that claim.

Høyer added: "While BWF does not think it is advantageous for the resolution of this case that details have been publicised, we do view this as an opportunity to highlight even further to the badminton community that they must be aware of threats from external criminal sources.

"It is especially important that players are aware of the adverse effects of match-fixing and that the only safe route is to reject any approaches from individuals soliciting their involvement in match-fixing.

"Such activities are not only contrary to BWF's integrity principles but also clearly pose risks to the safety of players who become entangled with criminal syndicates."