Malaysian shuttle ace suspended for doping

Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei reacts after losing a point against China's Lin Dan during the men's singles semi-final badminton match at Gyeyang Gymnasium at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon in this September 28, 2014 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian top badminton player Lee Chong Wei has been provisionally suspended over an apparent anti-doping regulation violation, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said on Tuesday.

It said in a statement on its website that the suspension was imposed due to an Adverse Analytical Finding of a sample taken at the BWF World Championships in August, adding that the matter has been referred to the BWF Doping Hearing Panel.

The time, date and location of a hearing will be set by the Chair of the Panel in due course, it said, adding that "the Panel will determine whether or not the athlete has committed an anti- doping regulation violation."

The statement said according to the rules of the BWF Anti- Doping Regulations and following the imposition of the provisional suspension, the BWF and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) can reveal the identity of the player involved in this matter now.

The BAM said Saturday that the B-sample of a Malaysian men's badminton player tested positive for banned anti-inflammatory dexamethasone and the player has been temporarily suspended.

However, it did not name the player, citing related rules of the BWF.

Local media have pointed the fingers at Lee as the Star newspaper reported on its website that he had failed a random test at the World Badminton Championships in Copenhagen in late August.

The provisional suspension means the athlete is barred temporarily from participation in any competition prior to the BWF Doping Hearing Panel's decision.