We have all heard of boxers throwing a fight to make a big payday with the bookies, but now it appears as if badminton players are involved in the same racket — and it’s getting them tossed out of the Olympics.

The Badminton World Federation announced that eight female badminton players were barred from the Olympics on Wednesday for intentionally trying to lose matches in an attempt to play less challenging opponents in future matches.

Following a hearing Wednesday morning before the BWF’s Disciplinary Committee, Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang (China), Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari (Indonesia), Jung Kyung Eun and Kim Ha Na (Korea) and Ha Jung Eun and Kim Min Jung (Korea) were officially disqualified.

While the eight accused players had already made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament, the results of the final group matches on Tuesday night involving the Chinese duo, Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang, angered the crowds in London, leading to committee hearings.

The Indonesian and South Korean pairs filed for an appeal on the BWF’s decision, and the decision on their appeals is expected later Wednesday.

[CNN]

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