Kuala Lumpur: Badminton’s governing body confirmed on Tuesday that Lee Chong Wei has been suspended “due to an apparent anti-doping regulation violation”, identifying him for the first time after weeks of reports naming the world No. 1.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said the Malaysian star was barred from competing until its panel determines whether he has committed a violation, after he failed a drugs test at the BWF World Championships in August.

Lee, who is Malaysia’s most prominent male athlete, has said that he “never cheated” and will fight to clear his name after a second test last week confirmed the banned anti-inflammatory dexamethasone in his sample. (AFP)