The Indonesian Jonatan Christie should play in the round of 16 against the Thai Sitthikom Thammasin on Friday
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All Indonesian badminton players and coaching staff had to withdraw from the All England Open after being contacted by the NHS Test and Trace Service.
The withdrawal follows a positive test for a passenger who was on board his flight to the UK to take part in the tournament, which began in Birmingham on Wednesday.
Among them are the current men’s doubles world champions Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan as well as the ladies doubles duo Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu, who won the Olympic bronze medal.
Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo defeated England’s Matthew Clare and Ethan van Leeuwen in the opening round, but the result remains unchanged.
As with all cases where an Indonesian player or couple wins a match before retreating, the next scheduled opponent will get a walkover and advance to the next round.
Indonesian Sports Minister Zainudin Amali has asked the World Badminton Federation (BWF) to investigate the matter, suggesting that the decision to expel the team is “unfair”.
“It wasn’t their fault, but they bear the brunt,” he said.
“I urge the (Indonesian badminton) federation to take action to challenge the BWF and its Asian federation so that people know we are not going to stand up for it. We feel the injustice in our players.
“If we keep silent – as if we believe there are signs of injustice and injustice – and ignore it, we are seen as weak.”
