Match-fixing witnesses and past records presented by BWF

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) with three-member panel presented four non-Malaysian witnesses along with the records dating back to tournaments in 2013 in the match fixing hearing of the Malaysian shuttlers Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Tan Chun Seang.

Jadadish Chandra of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is appointed as the observer at the hearing.

The 25-year-old Zulfadli and Chun Seang, 31, were represented by their counsels at the hearing by the BWF’s disciplinary committee at the Hotel Jen Tanglin in Orchard Road, Singapore.

“There were preliminary objections raised by the counsels for both players. Both were addressed by the panel at the same time,” said lawyer Jadadish, who is a key member of BAM’s Rules, Disciplinary and Integrity Committee.

“There are six charges against them and one of the offences took place at the Korean Grand Prix.

“BWF called their witnesses and they were cross-examined by the players’ lawyers. The BWF then wrapped up the evidence presented by the witness.

“The shuttlers did not speak as their lawyers did the talking,” added the lawyer.

On asking about  the essence of the of the evidence provided by the witnesses, he said, “I’m unable to share that information.”

The players will give their side story in the second half of the hearing and the three-member panel is expected to conclude their findings after it and submit the final judgement to the BWF.

If found guilty, the players are set to be banned for life.

“The panel may reach a verdict at the conclusion of the hearing but the verdict may only be communicated to the players until a reasoned written judgement is ready,” said Jadadish.