Boxing judges probed for controversial National Games officiating

Judges who officiated in boxing competitions at the 13th National Games have been suspended over judging controversies, said the top sport governing body on Thursday.

An investigation has been launched and umpires who are responsible for serious discipline violations will be banned, said the Boxing and Taekwondo Center of the State General Administration of Sport in a statement.

The men’s boxing competitions of the 13th National Games, which are held in Tianjin from Aug 3 to 13, were thrown into chaos after some fighters refused to leave the ring in protest of “unfair officiating”.

The administration said the scandal exposed loopholes in the appointment, management and supervision of judges for which the Boxing and Taekwondo Center should be responsible.

The national boxing team has been dismissed and a new team will be set up based on a revised selection procedure after the investigation is completed, said the center.