Lin Dan may be fined $20K for missing matches

Fines for Chinese badminton player Lin Dan could amount to $20,000 if he misses four World Badminton Federation (BWF) tournaments during his six-month vacation.

World's top eight badminton players are obligated to participate in BWF Premier series, and they have to engage in badminton promotional events even when injuries keep them from playing, according to federation rules.

Lin Dan started his leave after defending the men's singles title at the London Olympics, citing physical exhaustion and preparation for marriage in September as reasons. Only playing in the Chinese Badminton League this year, he is expected to be absent from all international tournaments until at least February 2013.

If that happens, the holder of 17 world titles will be faced with a fine of $5,000 for each top-level BWF?tournament he misses, which can add up to $20,000, as four Premier series (Denmark Open, China Open, Korea Open and Super Series Finals) are scheduled to be held during that time.

China's badminton authorities tried to initiate a temporary retirement for Lin in order to circumvent the fines. But the intention was snuffed by BWF, who said they will not make an exception for Lin as there is no "temporary retirement" in the rules, the Peninsula Morning Post reported on Thursday.

Gold medallist China's Lin Dan gives a salute at the victory ceremony for the men's singles badminton event at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena August 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]