In response to the controversy over Taiwanese Taekwondo athlete Yang Shu-chun's disqualification from the Asian Games, the World Taekwondo Federation on Tuesday issued a 3-month ban on Yang and a suspension of 20 months on her coach, Liu Tsung-ta. Yang found the ruling hard to accept, and the Sports Affairs Council is seriously considering to file an appeal.

Originally hoping to absolve herself from the disqualification at the Guangzhou Asian Games, Yang Shu-chun was in tear when the World Taekwondo Federation handed down their verdict on December 21st, suspending her for 3 months.

Her coach, Liu Tsung-ta is also banned for the next 20 months, with the decision effective immediately and extending past the Olympic Games in London in 2012, making it an especially strong sentence. Although the 3-month ban on Yang won't make her miss competitions next year, there is still the stigma of cheating that will stick with her.

The WTF believes that Yang had used improper equipment and aside from the ban on this competitor and coach, the Chinese Taipei Taekwondo Association was also fined 50,000 US$ which is to be paid for the end of January next year or they will be suspended.

Sports Affairs Council Minister Tai Hsia-ling said that this ruling did not conform with Sports Affairs Council bottom line of "maintaining right, and no band on competition.

This difference may lead them to take the case to the international Court of Arbitration for Sport for an appeal though their attitude has been quite cautious with no immediate response.

Lawyers say the scope of issues involved is quite complex and requires further discussion.