Korean association fined for negligence

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) issued a press release today stating that they had fined the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) US$40,000 for negligence in the context of the Whereabouts violations that got doubles players Kim Ki Jung and Lee Yong Dae suspended in January.  At the original hearings, the BKA had admitted responsibility for the violations and this was mentioned, in the January 28th ruling, as a reason for the imposition of only the minimum one-year suspension on the two players.

However, in the most recent decision, a BWF Disciplinary Committee determined that the BKA also “failed in its duty of care for these two players through administrative failure, thereby contributing to the three strikes against the players which made them ineligible”.     The BKA was cited for negligence in communication with the players, including “failing to educate BKA players and staff on essential elements of the Whereabouts and Anti-Doping Programmes and making false representation to BWF by communication, without proper consent and communication from Kim and Lee.”

In addition to the fine, the committee also recommended that the BKA make the players themselves responsible for updating their own Whereabouts information “since players are ultimately responsible for failures under the WADA Anti-Doping Code and BWF Anti-Doping Regulations.”

The BKA has 21 days to appeal this decision.  Furthermore, it was reported in the Korean press earlier this month that Kim and Lee had already submitted an appeal of their suspensions on February 1st to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Click here to read the full press release on the BWF website