HONG KONG - Jan O Jorgensen has apologised and insisted he wasn't being "disrespectful" after he tossed a shirt emblazoned with the Malaysian flag during badminton's China Open, prompting an angry reaction from fans.
Denmark's Jan O Jorgensen plays a shot against China's Chen Long in the final of the China Open Badminton tournament in Fuzhou on November 20, 2016
The Dane, who went on to win the title in Fuzhou on Sunday, drew ire when he threw a discarded shirt belonging to Malaysia's Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin on to the court during a break in their semi-final.
Zainuddin took offence and told Malaysian media: "My jersey has the Malaysian national flag. I don't have a problem if you want to disrespect me. But please respect the Jalur Gemilang (Flag of Malaysia) on my shirt."
Irate fans took to social media to criticise Jorgensen, who later issued an apology via Facebook.
"I'm sorry for all the Malaysians I have offended by throwing Iskandar's shirt. Not my meaning to be disrespectful... I have a lot respect for him," Jorgensen wrote.
It did little to placate some fans, with one commenter on Instagram writing: "Pls learn how to respect people dude!"
The row comes after a group of Australians dubbed the "Budgie Nine" were detained for stripping down to swimwear decorated with the Malaysian flag during the country's Formula One Grand Prix last month.
Jorgensen and his Danish team-mates are well known for their spirited behaviour on court, with shirtless victory laps and emotional outbursts common at their matches.