Another player Suspended by ITIA in connection with the Belgian tennis match-fixing case
Tunisian player, Anis Ghorbel, gets a three-year suspension by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). This is due to his involvement in corruption related to the broader match-fixing investigation in Belgium.
Ghorbel has been found to have committed four violations of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP). As a result, the ITIA has imposed a suspension on Ghorbel, which will be in effect from the date of the decision (4 January) until 3 January 2027. Additionally, Ghorbel has been fined $20,000 (£15,743/€18,365).
The offenses in question pertain to match-fixing incidents that occurred in 2016 and 2017. Despite having achieved a career-high world singles ranking of 479 in 2016, Ghorbel denies all charges brought against him.
The specific violations of the TACP include two instances related to section D.2.a.i, which involves the failure to report a corrupt approach. The ITIA has also identified a single breach of section D.1.b, which pertains to facilitating betting on the outcome of a match, as well as a breach of section D.1.d, which involves contriving the outcome or aspect of a match.
As a result of the suspension, Ghorbel is prohibited from participating in, coaching at, or attending any tennis events that are authorized by ITIA members or national associations.
The case of match-fixing in Belgium has led to several tennis players facing sanctions, with Ghorbel being the latest addition. The collaboration between the ITIA and Belgian authorities has resulted in a five-year custodial sentence for the leader of the match-fixing syndicate, Grigor Sargsyan.
The crackdown on match-fixing began after Sargsyan’s conviction in November. Initially, 16 players were banned in November 2023, as reported by iGB, with the bans being announced on 13 November, 17 November, and 24 November.
Another recent case involves French tennis player Leny Mitjana, who has been banned for 10 years after being found guilty of corruption and match-fixing offenses.
In total, the ITIA has imposed bans on 22 players and officials in the past three months in relation to this ongoing case.
