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The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has announced the banning of three players, Timur Khabibulin, Sanjar Fayziev, and Igor Smilansky, for their involvement in match-fixing activities. These actions were in violation of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).
The ITIA conducted hearings chaired by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Janie Soublière, which resulted in sanctions against the players. The bans, which commence from their provisional suspension date of July 25th, 2023, prohibit them from participating in any tennis-related activities. Additionally, fines were imposed as part of the penalties.
The players and their sanctions are as follows:
Timur Khabibulin (Kazakhstan) – Faced 21 charges spanning from 2014 to 2019 and received a lifetime ban along with a fine of $60,000.
Sanjar Fayziev (Uzbekistan) – Involved in 5 charges in 2018, resulting in a three-year six-month ban (with six months suspended) and a fine of $15,000.
Igor Smilansky (Israel) – Accused of 3 charges in 2018, leading to a two-year ban and a $4,000 fine (with $1,000 suspended).
As part of these sanctions, the players are prohibited from participating in, coaching at, or attending any tennis events authorized or sanctioned by the ITIA's members, which include the ATP, ITF, WTA, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, as well as any national tennis associations.
The ITIA has been actively taking measures to preserve the integrity of tennis by enforcing strict regulations against match-fixing and related violations. This is not the first time it has imposed sanctions, with previous cases involving players, umpires, and other individuals connected to the sport.
These actions by the ITIA underline its commitment to maintaining fair play and the reputation of tennis, ensuring that violations of the TACP are met with consequences.
By fLEXI tEAM