BWF backs BAT’s play, bans Jongjit and Issara

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced this week that it was imposing identical bans on Maneepong Jongjit and Bodin Issara to those meted out by the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) in late July.  The two players were issued the suspensions by the BWF’s Disciplinary Committee for their involvement in a violent encounter during the final of the Yonex Canada Open Grand Prix in mid-July.  Bodin Issara’s suspension is for two years while Maneepong Jongjit’s is for three months.  The suspensions cover all tournaments sanctioned by the BWF.

A BWF press release stated that the suspension are effective from the date of the incident – Sunday 21 July – and that Bodin Issara would forfeit the world-ranking points and prize money earned from the Canada Open.  Maneepong Jongjit was found to have violated Sections 4.1, 4.14, and 4.16 of the BWF Players’ Code of Conduct (dealing with Inappropriate Conduct, Oral Abuse, and Unsportsmanlike Conduct, respectively).  Bodin Issara was found guilty under those same sections as well as Sections 4.15 (Physical Abuse) and 5.1 (Conduct contrary to the integrity of the game).  The decision by the Disciplinary Committee was based on a review of video footage and written evidence, including statements from both players, Thailand team officials and tournament officials.

Since the decision by the BAT was handed down before the World Championships, Maneepong Jongjit and Nipitphon Puangpuapech were left out of the Thai contingent here in Guangzhou.  Three months from the incident would make him ineligible for the Yonex Denmark Open, the next Superseries Premier event on the schedule, but would free him up to enter events starting with the Yonex French Open on October 22nd.