Bodin and Maneepong banned for on-court brawl

After more than three hours of deliberations at the BAT headquarters, the executive board, led by president Charoen Wattanasin, decided to ban Bodin for two years and Maneepong for three months. The ban is effective from today and bars the players from participating in all local and international events.

Bodin was found guilty of physical assault while Maneepong was punished for verbally provoking his former partner. The BAT had decided to impose a lifetime ban on Bodin and hand a six-month ban to Maneepong but considering their services to the country and their expression of regret, the punishment was reduced.

“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. I have been requested to be gentle in the measures but this is not about my feelings or others’ feelings. It’s a matter of the country’s image,” Charoen said.

Earlier, Bodin and Maneepong shook hands for the first time yesterday in a stage-managed show of unity. Whether their friendship and career would stay on the rails remains an uncertainty.

The Badminton Association of Thailand yesterday had called both the players for a reconciliation meeting in an attempt to find a solution to the violent incident during the Canadian Open men’s doubles final where Bodin chased and physically assaulted his former partner.

The incident prompted the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to level charges on both parties. Bodin was charged under Sections 4.1 (inappropriate conduct); 4.14 (oral abuse); 4.15 (physical abuse); 4.16 (onsportsmanlike conduct) and 5.1 (conduct contrary to the integrity of the game), while Maneepong was charged under Sections 4.1 (inappropriate conduct); 4.14 (oral abuse) and 4.16 (unsportsmanlike conduct). They were also ordered to submit written statements on the incident to be delivered to the BWF by the afternoon of July 30.

Bodin and Maneepong apologised to each other, the fans, the BAT, BWF, the Canadian badminton body and especially to the country for denting its reputation.

Although they were told to make up, they appeared awkward in front of the cameras. No friendly smiles were exchanged. Maneepong, in particular, looked tense and hesitated for a few seconds when asked whether they could be friends again.

“Yes,” he replied after some heavy thought. “But only if he tells the truth, but if he still tells lies, then no,” said Maneepong, who insisted that he was not the one to start the fight.

“I did not reply [after Bodin sent him an apology online] because I don’t know what to say. I forgive him and I will accept the decisions of the BWF and the BAT,” said Maneepong, who was presented with garlands of apology by Bodin’s mother and wife. They cried and hugged and apologised to each other but Bodin was nowhere in sight.