Four Badminton pairs have been disqualified

London – GBR, August 1, 2012: Four pairs who contested Women’s Doubles matches in the London 2012 Olympics last evening (Tuesday 31 July) at Wembley Arena have been disqualified by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

After a hearing this morning before the BWF’s Disciplinary Committee the following pairs were disqualified: Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang (China); Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari (Indonesia); Jung Kyung Eun and Kim Ha Na (Korea); and Ha Jung Eun and Kim Min Jung (Korea).

The Indonesian and Korean pairs have appealed the decision. The pairs were charged under BWF’s Players’ Code of Conduct – Sections 4.5 and 4.16 respectively – with “not using one’s best efforts to win a match” and “conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport”.

The appeal process is ongoing and a final decision pending. The BWF will hold a Press conference later today following the final decision.

KOREANS’ APPEALS REJECTED; INDONESIA’S WITHDRAWN

The two Korean pairs – who were among four Women’s Doubles pairs disqualified from the London Olympics badminton tournament today – have had their appeals rejected by the Chair of the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) Appeals Committee.

The Chair’s rejection was made in accordance with Section 3 of the BWF’s Disciplinary Regulations, Clause 3.1, which states the Chair can reject an appeal case if “the case is considered to be concluded with any fine or sanction already imposed”.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian pair, who also initially appealed the decision of BWF’s Disciplinary Committee to disqualify them, withdrew their appeal before it was considered by the Chair of the Appeals Committee. The fourth pair, from China, did not appeal their disqualification.

All four pairs – Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang (China); Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari (Indonesia); Jung Kyung Eun and Kim Ha Na (South Korea); and Ha Jung Eun and Kim Min Jung (South Korea) – were charged under BWF’s Players’ Code of Conduct – Sections 4.5 and 4.16 respectively – with “not using one’s best efforts to win a match” and “conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport”.

The charges stemmed from two matches played in the Women’s Doubles Group Stage of the London 2012 Olympics last evening (Tuesday 31 July) at Wembley Arena. All four pairs appeared before the BWF’s Disciplinary Committee at a hearing held at Wembley Plaza Hotel this morning.

As a result of these disqualifications, Women’s Doubles pairs from Australia (Leanne Choo/Renuga Veeran), Canada (Alex Bruce/Michelle Li), Russia (Valeria Sorokina/Nina Vislova) and South Africa (Michelle Edwards/Annari Viljoen) advanced to the Olympic quarter-finals.

Since then, the Russians and Canadians have advanced to the Olympic semi-finals. —- BWF