Thailand's badminton players fight each other on court

Bodin Issara, right, and Maneepong Jongjit played together at the 2012 Olympics. Andres Leighton / AP Photo

BANGKOK // An on-court brawl between former Thailand teammates, which ended with one player raining down blows on the other, led on Sunday to a two-year ban for Bodin Issara and a three-month suspension for Maneepong Jongjit.

They competed in doubles at the London 2012 Olympics, but their dust-up at the Canada Open last week has proven to be a deep embarrassment to the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT).

“Everything we have done in 60 years collapsed just because of one person. In my six decades in this sport, I haven’t seen a more violent case than this,” Charoen Wattanasin, the BAT president, said. “It’s a matter of the country’s image.”

The pair, both 22, were competing on opposite sides for the first time since their split and tensions blew up in a men’s doubles contest which ended with Bodin’s disqualification after he chased Maneepong around the arena.

Bodin lost his temper after Maneepong had hit him on the head with his racket at the change of ends and the crowd was left in shock as Bodin eventually tackled his former partner to the ground on a neighbouring court and pummelled him before being pulled away.

The duo could face further penalties with an investigation by the Badminton World Federation still ongoing.

Bodin and Maneepong made a public apology on Saturday. Bodin’s remorse meant he avoided a lifetime ban, while Maneepong’s regret saw his penalty halved from six months.

Maneepong said it would take more than a public show of remorse for the two to become friends again. “Only if he tells the truth, but if he still tells lies, then no,” Maneepong said.

– Reuters