Badminton Coach Receives Four-Year Ban for Courtside Betting
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has issued a four-year ban to former Danish player and coach Joachim Persson for placing live bets during a professional match and failing to cooperate with the investigation. The incident occurred at the Japan Open last year, shortly after the Paris Olympics.
Betting During Tournament Match
According to the verdict released by BWF, Persson was seen betting on his mobile phone from the court area during an active match. A player reportedly filmed the behavior and confronted him, with officials noting he reacted with “shock” and visible emotion.
The case was treated as a serious breach of integrity rules. The governing body stressed that betting of any kind by those directly involved in the sport is strictly prohibited. BWF said in its statement:
“This latest decision is a timely reminder that betting on badminton in any capacity will not be tolerated, as well as highlighting the importance of reporting such wrongdoing.”
Previous Disciplinary History
The sanction was aggravated due to Persson’s past disciplinary record. BWF noted he had previously received a ban for betting offenses and used a proxy betting account registered under a false name. As a coach at the tournament, he also had access to inside information, further heightening the integrity concerns.
Checks with the betting provider confirmed that nine wagers were placed on the match in Tokyo, totaling 5,205 Danish krone (approximately $810). Seven of those bets were successful, returning 9,821 krone (around $1,530).
Coaching Role and Dismissal
Persson had been coaching world No. 3 Anders Antonsen, a two-time Olympic singles quarterfinalist. Following the incident, Antonsen terminated his contract with Persson.
The ban extends through 2029 and bars Persson from all coaching and participation in badminton activities governed by BWF.
