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Tennis: six players and a chair umpire banned

May 11, 2022

Six Spanish tennis players have been banned from the sport by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after they were convicted of criminal charges relating to match fixing as part of a wider case involving organized crime, which continues. The verdicts mark the end of a five-year process which involved co-operation between the ITIA, Spanish law enforcement and the betting industry, through the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).

Marc Fornell Mestres (highest ATP ranking: 236), Jorge Marse Vidri (highest ATP ranking: 562) and unranked players Carlos Ortega, Jaime Ortega, Marcos Torralbo and Pedro Bernabe Franco all pleaded guilty to corruption charges in Spain, resulting in criminal convictions. The players were all given two-year suspended prison sentences, as well as a fine. Now that the criminal cases are complete, the ITIA has been able to sanction the players and has imposed both long bans and financial penalties. Marc Fornell Mestres is banned from tennis for 22 years and six months, and fined $250,000 with $200,000 suspended; Jorge Marse Vidri is banned from tennis for 15 years, and fined $15,000 with $5,000 suspended; Carlos Ortega is banned from tennis for 15 years, and fined $150,000 with $140,000 suspended; Jaime Ortega is banned from tennis for 7 years and six months, and fined $100,000 with $90,000 suspended; Marcos Tarralbo is banned from tennis for 15 years, and fined $100,000 with $85,000 suspended and Pedro Bernabe Franco is banned from tennis for 15 years, and fined $100,000 with $75,000 suspended. They are all prohibited from playing in or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by any international tennis governing body or national association for the length of their bans. They are also unable to coach in the professional game.

 “The conclusion of this long-term investigation is an important moment for tennis in its fight against corruption. Whilst we take no pleasure in seeing six individuals receive criminal convictions and bans, the message is clear: match fixing can lead to a jail sentence and can end your career in tennis, commented ITIA Chair Jennie Price. It also serves as a warning that organized crime is targeting sport, and governments and law enforcement agencies, as well as anti-corruption bodies in sport, need to take that threat seriously."

This is one of the most significant infiltrations of tennis by organized crime that we have seen. We welcome the involvement of law enforcement agencies and the prosecution of entire criminal networks, not just the players involved. This ruling sends a strong message that match fixing is a crime which can see criminal conviction, added ITIA CEO Jonny Gray. I must pay tribute to our investigations, intelligence and legal teams who have worked tirelessly over the last five years or so to bring this case to its conclusion. We also had excellent co-operation between the ITIA and Spanish law enforcement agencies, as well as the unswerving support of the tennis bodies. Finally, we are hugely grateful to the betting industry for their evidence, leading to these convictions.”

A chair umpire banned for life for match fixing

The ITIA has also announced that Portuguese tennis chair umpire Daniel Zeferino has been banned for life from the sport after being found guilty of match fixing charges. The charges related to Daniel Zeferino manipulating scores inputted into his electronic scoring device at an ITF M15 event in 2020, facilitating guaranteed wins by bettors on those points. The man, who was a level two white badge official, admitted to his conduct in an interview with the ITIA and did not contest the charges which were considered by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Ian Mill QC, who ruled that he should be removed from the sport permanently.

 


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