Vittinghus and Astrup report match-fixing attempts

Denmark’s Hans Kristian Vittinghus (pictured left)  and Kim Astrup (pictured right) were both approached during the Japan Open this year to bet on their own matches and win €2,500 to 3,000 by changing the outcome of their own matches. Both players rejected the offers made by a Malaysian third party and contacted the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to report the case, according to a report from Danish Broadcasting Corporation website (DR.dk).

The police were immediately notified, according to the BWF, who had decided not to go public with the news since the case was still under investigation.

“BWF is very satisfied that the players who were contacted about the match-fixing offer completely rejected it and also reported the case through the BWF “Whistle Blower” System that has been set up precisely to handle such incidents,” said BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer in a press release issued today.

“BWF is acutely aware of the threats around match fixing in general and that badminton, as well as other sports, can be targets for criminal activities related to illegal match fixing and illegal betting activities, which is a problem within our societies. It is, however, a very complex and sensitive area that may involve criminal syndicates which are not part of the badminton community, and as such match fixing becomes a matter for the police authorities. The BWF has offered our full cooperation and assistance to the police authorities to resolve this case.”

“It’s against everything I stand for as a badminton player. I was never in doubt that the BWF should be notified immediately,” Vittinghus told DR.dk.

The Danish world #10 men’s singles player was probably not the best player to ask such a thing – he is well known on the circuit for being one of the most fair-play competitors, including his role as a member of the BWF Athletes’ Commission and involvement as an Ambassador with the charity organisation, Solibad – Badminton Without Borders. Astrup, who was also approached, is one of the younger Danes in the national squad and is ranked #22 with his men’s doubles partner.

Click here to see the Video of Vittinghus and Astrup (in Danish)