Source: Visual China Group/VCG
[Saba Sports News] Good referees can facilitate the smooth flow of badminton matches, while poor referees can ruin a game, especially during critical points where a wrong call can sway the outcome. In 2024, several ridiculous rulings have emerged in the badminton world. For example, during the quarterfinals of the 2024 German Open, Taiwanese player Chou Tien-Chen was leading 18-16 in the second game when the main referee ruled that the shuttlecock had already landed while he was receiving a low shot, giving his opponent a point for a fault. Later, the service judge reminded the main referee that Chou had not violated any rules, but even with the head referee intervening, the main referee insisted on his decision. Such erroneous calls are quite common in BWF competitions, especially with low, passive defensive shots close to the ground, as referees often find it difficult to distinguish without slow-motion video replays. In another instance during the 2024 BWF Finals, during a group match between Li Shifeng and Anders Antonsen, Antonsen’s shot went into the net when he should have scored a point for Li Shifeng. Antonsen complained vehemently, stating that the service judge had suddenly coughed, distracting him. After some commotion, the main referee decided to replay the point, leading to a chorus of boos from the audience. Some fans commented that it seems the referee’s reputation is more important than the truth, while others openly questioned the BWF, asking if it was so difficult to have video replay.