The tennis world is in turmoil after the recent discovery by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that shed light on "one of the biggest match-fixing schemes ever seen" in the sport and resulted in the disqualification of six Spanish tennis players and one player from Kyrgyzstan.
The list of Spanish players "expelled from the sport" includes: Marc Fornell, Jorge Marsé, who was 562nd in the ATP ranking, and unranked players Carlos Ortega, Jaime Ortega, Marcos Torralbo and Pedro Bernabé Franco. Finally, the 32-year-old Kyrgyz player, Ksenia Palkina, is included.
During the trial held this past Wednesday at the Audiencia Nacional, those involved had already acknowledged the facts. "The six players were sentenced in Spain as part of a wider case related to organized crime, which is continuing," the ITIA said.
The heaviest punishment fell on Marc Fornell, who was ranked 236th in the ATP rankings and was banned from tennis for 22 years and six months, in addition to being fined USD250,000, with USD200,000 suspended.
For his part, Marsé will not be able to play tennis for 15 years and will be fined USD15,000, with a USD5,000 suspension. Carlos Ortega, Bernabé Franco and Tarralbo received the same amount of years, although with different fines. In turn, Jaime Ortega was sanctioned with 7 years and six months of suspension from tennis, plus the fine of USD100,000, with USD90,000 of suspension.
All players pleaded guilty to corruption charges in Spain, resulting in criminal convictions. They were all sentenced to two years suspended prison terms.
"Following the conclusion of the criminal cases, the ITIA has been able to sanction the players and has imposed both long-term bans and financial penalties," said the independent body, which was set up by tennis' governing bodies to "promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide."
The sanctions involve a ban from playing in or attending any tennis tournament sanctioned or sanctioned by any international tennis governing body or national federation. They will also be barred from coaching in the professional sport.
Jennie Price, president of the ITIA, stated, "The conclusion of this lengthy investigation is an important moment for tennis in its fight against corruption. While we are not pleased to see six individuals receive criminal convictions and disqualifications, the message is clear: match-fixing can lead to a jail sentence and can end a career in tennis."
"It also serves as a warning that organized crime is targeting sport, and governments and law enforcement, as well as anti-corruption bodies in sport, need to take that threat seriously," added the organization's president.
For his part, Jonny Gray, director general of the ITIA, said it was "one of the most significant infiltrations we have seen in tennis by organized crime".
Gray added: "I must pay tribute to our investigations, intelligence and legal teams who have worked tirelessly over the last five years to bring this case to its conclusion."
The verdicts mark the end of a five-year process in which the ITIA, Spanish law enforcement and the betting industry, through the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), have collaborated.
The manipulation of results, with players receiving money for voluntarily losing a match, allows bettors to win large sums of money, often using side tournaments.
No Copyright infringement intended. Video/Photo Unknown Direct for credits/issue or text us +57 3606412 ... | Respect to Photographers & Influencer
