KUALA LUMPUR – Former national shuttler Liew Daren and National Sports Institute’s (NSI) Jerry Gan have been handed suspensions by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for their involvement in a betting scandal that has rocked Malaysian badminton today.
The duo was found guilty of violating the BWF Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, with bets placed on international badminton matches over a period spanning from 2018 to 2022.
BWF’s findings revealed that Daren, a former World Championships medallist, placed multiple bets on matches, including tournaments like the Thailand Open and the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics badminton event.
His actions were exposed through extensive digital evidence, including chat logs, bank statements, and betting records.
Jerry, a performance analyst with the NSI, was also implicated in failing to report Daren’s betting activities and placing his own bets on badminton matches.
According to the BWF Independent Hearing Panel’s report, Daren’s betting activity extended across various tournaments, including the Swiss Open in 2021.
In one instance, he bet approximately RM2,000 during the 2021 Thailand Open but later complained that his winnings were cancelled by the betting platform.
The scandal also revealed that Jerry participated in at least 50 betting activities, often with stakes between RM50 and RM200, as detailed during his admission to BWF investigators.
Evidence extracted from Daren’s phone also showed login credentials for multiple betting websites, screenshots of bets placed, and messages with fellow players discussing odds.
The BWF emphasised that Daren used covert methods, such as betting accounts registered under different names, to avoid detection.
The investigation, which began in 2018, culminated in interviews and evidence collection, including detailed bank records and mobile phone data.
The disciplinary panel concluded that both Daren and Jerry’s actions were deliberate, with Daren accused of actively encouraging others to engage in betting.
Jerry received a three-month suspension from all badminton-related activities for his admitted involvement and failure to report Daren’s actions, while Daren faced a far more severe penalty: a twelve-month suspension for his repeated violations, compounded by his attempts to withhold crucial evidence during the investigation.
“This is a significant breach of trust and integrity in badminton,” the BWF panel stated. “The actions of both individuals undermined the principles of fair play and tarnished the sport’s reputation.”
The BWF also noted the global trend of cracking down on corruption in sports, highlighting the necessity of stringent measures to protect the integrity of competitions.
Both individuals have the right to appeal the decision within 21 days. However, neither of these individuals appealed the IHP decision, therefore it is final.
In 2018, BWF’s Ethics Hearing Panel found two former Malaysian shuttlers Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Tan Chun Seang guilty of match-fixing.
Zulfadli was handed a 20-year suspension from all badminton activities and a US$25,000 fine, while Chun Seang got 15 years and a US$15,000 fine. — December 20, 2024