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Five new players have been added to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) sanction list as investigations into the Belgium match-fixing syndicate continue.
Thomas Setodji, Hugo Daubias, Gabriel Petit, Yannick Thivant, and Thomas Brechemier all received bans or suspensions from the sport for offenses committed in either 2017 or 2018.
“Collaboration between the ITIA and Belgian authorities led to a five-year custodial sentence for the leader of the syndicate, Grigor Sargsyan,” the organization said in a media release.
“Four of the cases were ruled on by an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO), with the fifth resolved directly between the player and the ITIA.”
Thivant Banned for Life
The harshest penalty in the recent match-fixing scandal has been handed down to 38-year-old Thivant, who has received a lifetime ban from the sport by the Tennis Integrity Authority (ITIA). Anti-corruption hearing officer Richard McLaren stated that Thivant’s actions warranted “the most serious sanctions be imposed.”
Thivant, who achieved a career-high singles ranking of 590 in September 2015, confessed to fixing 22 matches between 2017 and 2018, including 16 of his own. Along with the lifetime ban, he faces a fine of €68,144 and €37,400 in restitution.
Following Thivant, 28-year-old Thomas Brechemier has been suspended for a period of seven years and six months, effective from February 12, 2023, through August 11, 2032. During the investigation, Brechemier admitted to fixing 11 matches within the same timeframe as Thivant.
He reached a career-high ranking of 399 in August 2017 and has been fined $40,000, with $27,500 of that amount suspended.
Lastly, 29-year-old Thomas Setodji will serve a 10-year suspension for his involvement in the scheme. He has been fined $20,000 and ordered to pay €5,500 in restitution. Setodji was found guilty of fixing three matches in 2017 and failing to report a corrupt approach in 2018.
His highest singles ranking came in July 2024, when he reached 794, but he will not be eligible to compete again until at least March 31, 2035.
Further Suspensions for Two Players
In addition to the major sanctions already imposed, two more players have received penalties from the Tennis Integrity Authority (ITIA).
First, 28-year-old Daubias has been handed a two-year suspension along with a $15,000 fine. He admitted to fixing two matches in 2017 and will not be eligible to compete again until 2027. Daubias reached a career-high singles ranking of 972 in September 2017.
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Petit faces a more severe penalty, receiving a suspension of six years and six months. He has also been fined $45,000.
The anti-corruption hearing officer, Charles Hollander, noted that Petit did not respond to the charges brought against him. By choosing not to engage with the process, Petit effectively waived his right to a hearing and accepted responsibility for fixing seven matches during 2017 and 2018.
His highest career ranking was 450, achieved in December 2018, and he will be barred from the competition until September 2031.
16 players were sanctioned by the ITIA when the investigation started, but more have been added to the list as further evidence emerges. The last sanctions came in February when six players received formal bans from the organization. They included, François-Arthur Vibert, Agustin Moyano, Jerome Inzerillo, Romain Bauvy, Yannick Jankovits, and David Guez.
“During their suspensions, the players are prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association.” the ITIA stated in its media release.
Source: iGamingBusiness
