There had been widespread rumours at the end of last month that the Malaysian had failed a doping test after the Badminton World Championships in Copenhagen in August, with these now apparently confirmed by the BWF in a statement today.

Lee took silver at these Championships after losing to Chen Long of China in the final.

"The world-governing body has imposed this suspension due to an Adverse Analytical Finding of a sample taken at the BWF World Championships in August," the statement read.

"The BWF has referred the matter to the BWF Doping Hearing Panel and, in due course, the chair of the Panel will set the time, date and location of a hearing.

"The Panel will determine whether or not the athlete has committed an anti-doping regulation violation."

On Saturday (November 8), the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed that one of their players had tested positive for the banned anti-inflammatory agent dexamethasone, but withheld the individual's identity pending an appeal.

Lee Chong Wei failed a doping test during the World Championships in Copenhagen, where he lost to Chen Long of China in the final ©Getty Images



Lee , however, strongly denies cheating or knowingly taking any banned substances.

"I just want to thank every one of you who had faith in me through this difficult times," he wrote on social media site Facebook.

"There are so many unanswered questions and I hope to clear my name soon.

"I never cheated nor will I ever rely on banned substances."

Under BWF rules, the 31-year-old is temporarily barred from participation in any competition prior to the BWF Doping Hearing Panel's decision.

Should Lee's appeal fail he will face a two-year ban and will be stripped of the silver medal he won at the World Championships, as well as the two bronze medals he won at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.

If confirmed, this would continue a terrible period for Malaysian sport following wushu player Tai Cheau Xuen being stripped of the Asian Games gold medal she initially won in the nanquan and nandao all-round event after she failed for banned stimulant sibutramine.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
October 2014: Badminton world number one fails drugs test, it is claimed