FINA has warned China's Sun Yang and British rival Duncan Scott (right). — AFP Photo

GWANGJU — China's Sun Yang and British rival Duncan Scott were rebuked by FINA on Tuesday following a heated exchange after Sun retained the 200 metres freestyle world title.

Scott, who tied for bronze, refused to shake hands with Sun on the podium in Gwangju after the playing of the national anthem or join him and the other medallists on the top step to pose for photos.

His snub, which follows a similar protest from Australian Mack Horton after losing to Sun in the 400m final at the weekend, sparked a furious reaction from Sun.

The triple Olympic champion shook his fist at Scott before getting in his face, waving his finger at the Briton and barking: "You're a loser -- I win!" 

The Chinese giant has faced hostility from swimmers in South Korea after a leaked FINA doping panel report alleged he had used a hammer to destroy vials of his own blood after testers visited him last year.

Swimming's governing body warned Sun and Scott for bringing the sport into disrepute, a FINA statement reading: "Both competitors had an inadequate behaviour on this occasion".

FINA also sent a letter to Horton for a similar podium snub at the weekend, which reignited a bitter feud that goes back to the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

Scott, who marched off the pool deck during the post-ceremony lap of honour, was unrepentant.

"If Sun can't respect our sport then why should I respect him?" he said. "I think a lot of people, everyone in swimming, got behind what Mack did."

Horton labelled Sun a "drug cheat" in Rio over a three-month suspension his Chinese rival served for taking a banned stimulant two years earlier. — AFP