Chinese pair Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli and South Korea's Jung Kyung-Eun and Kim Ha-Na were both suspended by the BWF after they tried to intentionally lose their group stage game.

They were alleged to have done this to avoid meeting top seeds Tian Quing and Zhao Yunlei of China, who went on to win gold.

On the same night, another South Korean pair, Ha Jung-Eun and Kim Min-Jung, were also disqualified along with their final group opponents Meiliana Juahari and Greysia Polii from Indonesia for the same offence.

South Korea made an appeal against their players' suspensions, which was rejected by the BWF.

Indonesia also appealed, although they later withdrew their protest.

Since then investigations have taken place in South Korea, who initially banned their players for six months and also suspended coach Sung Han-kook for two years.

Kim Ha Na (left) and Jung Kyung Eun of South Korea play a shot during the London 2012 women's doubles badminton match against China's Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang 

The Indonesian pair have also been given a four month ban by their national association.

Yang has retired since the scandal, which China pledged to investigate.

The BWF were swift in their response to the incident, with the organisation's President Dr. Kang Young Joong writing to their membership saying: "BWF notes favourably, from media reports, that internal investigations and evaluations of this matter have taken place in some of the three countries directly involved.

"BWF would like to express our support for such steps," he added, also saying that attention should be focused on "coaches, managers and other influential persons within the respective national badminton entourages to ensure all stakeholders subscribe to the expected ethical standards and sporting ideals".

Kang also stressed that each BWF member association should review its structures to ensure badminton is played with the highest degree of ethical sport standards.

Indonesia's Greysia Polii (left) and Meiliana Jauhari at the end of their disputed London 2012 match against South Korea's Kim Min Jung and Ha Jung Eun 

"It is incumbent upon all of us in the international badminton family to guarantee our sport's integrity and to strengthen its standing among the global sporting community.

"This is a priority of utmost importance and we cannot shirk from this duty.

"Such an embarrassment must never befall us again.

"Badminton is a wonderful sport, enjoyed by millions at professional and recreational level," Kang concluded, cautioning that its development "cannot be taken for granted".

The BWF is currently reviewing playing regulations and will make any decisions over changes at their council session in November.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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