The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has taken a firm stance against match-fixing in the sport by suspending two Argentinian women’s tennis players for a total of ten years. The players in question, Melina Ferrero and Sofia Luini, have been banned for three and seven years, respectively, following a decision by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Diana Tesic.
The ITIA’s announcement on Wednesday highlighted the severity of the situation, with the London-based integrity body emphasizing the importance of maintaining fair play and integrity in tennis. The suspension of Ferrero and Luini is a result of their involvement in a criminal case against a match-fixing syndicate based in Belgium. Through collaboration with the Belgian Federal Police, the ITIA was able to bring the syndicate leader, Grigor Sargsya, to justice, resulting in a five-year custodial sentence.
Ferrero faced 12 charges related to three games in 2017 and 2018, while Luini was accused of 24 charges in connection to six games during the same period. Despite Ferrero not responding to the charges against her, she was handed a three-year ban and a $15,000 fine. Luini, on the other hand, contested the charges and managed to have two dropped, but still received a seven-year ban and a $30,000 fine.
Both players had experienced success in their tennis careers, with Ferrero reaching a world singles ranking of 731 in 2015 and Luini achieving a ranking of 492 in 2014. The ITIA’s decision to suspend them was backdated to July 23, 2024, with Ferrero’s ban ending on July 22, 2027, and Luini’s on July 22, 2031. During this period, they are prohibited from participating in any professional tennis events sanctioned by ITIA member organizations, including the ATP, ITF, WTA, USTA, and Wimbledon.
The ITIA’s actions send a clear message that match-fixing will not be tolerated in the sport of tennis. By holding players accountable for their actions and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to prosecute those involved in corrupt activities, the integrity of the sport is upheld. Ferrero and Luini’s suspensions serve as a warning to other players about the consequences of engaging in unethical behavior and the importance of upholding the values of fair competition in tennis.