SINGAPORE: The two Malaysian shuttlers, allegedly involved in match-fixing, were caught by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) after a tip-off by a foreign player in 2016.
The player was apparently approached by one of the suspects to manipulate the outcome of a match at a tournament. But he turned down the offer and instead lodged a report with BWF.
Acting on the report, BWF appointed a top sports investigator based in Europe to monitor both the suspects.
BA of Malaysia (BAM) representative at the hearing in Singapore, Jadadish Chandra, said the investigator was also present today as one of the witnesses.
Based on the investigator’s findings, it is learnt that both the suspects have been involved with match-fixing since 2013.
According to the investigator, both the suspects face six different charges of match-fixing in six tournaments between 2013-2016.
"The four witnesses present today, gave their statements while the BWF laid before the suspects the evidence they had against them.
"I wish to stress that everything done at the hearing is within the capacity and power of the BWF as the world governing body.
"What I can share is both the suspects are being investigated following a report made by a shuttler.
“The player, who is not a Malaysian, was approached by one of the suspects to fix a match at a tournament.
"Both the suspects face six different charges of manipulating the outcome of a match at six different tournaments between 2013-2016," said Jadadish, when met after the first day hearing at the Jen Tanglin Hotel in Singapore.
When pressed further whether the suspects were 2011 world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli and 2010 Thomas Cup team member Tan Chun Seang, Jadadish replied: "I cannot confirm nor deny this."
The second day of the hearing will resume tomorrow at 10am, where both suspects, represented by their lawyers, will be allowed to make their defence.