Independent Review Panel finalises route to combat betting-related corruption in professional tennis
Delivering a world-class anti-corruption regime for professional tennis remains a paramount priority for the international governing bodies of tennis.
The Independent Review Panel’s Final Report, published today (19 December 2018) maps out a comprehensive route for the sport to follow in combating betting-related corruption, particularly the vulnerabilities highlighted at the lower levels of the game.
It also confirms that the Panel has seen no evidence of any institutional corruption or cover-up by the international governing bodies or the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU).
Having already confirmed our agreement in principle to the draft recommendations contained in the IRP’s Interim Report of April 2018, we will now work collectively to prioritise timely implementation of the Panel’s final integrity and governance recommendations.
The Panel acknowledges and credits progress already made in important areas, such as the number of successful prosecutions secured by the TIU; its expanded relationships with the betting industry; a major commitment to education and increased staffing levels. There is also recognition of structural changes made to improve the player pathway by the ITF and ATP.
Alongside the continued development and increased funding of the TIU, the sport has also acted on the Panel’s governance recommendations, and the recruitment process for a Chair to lead the new, independent Supervisory Board that will provide the highest quality strategic oversight, direction and guidance for the TIU is under way.
We aim to make this important appointment in early 2019, to be closely followed by selection of the remaining Board members.
Ends
Statement issued on behalf of:
Steve Simon, Chief Executive Officer of the WTA and Chairman of the Tennis Integrity Board
Chris Kermode, Executive Chairman and President of the ATP
David Haggerty, President of the ITF
Philip Brook, Chairman, Wimbledon
Katrina Adams, Chair, US Open
Bernard Giudicelli, Chairman, Roland Garros
Jayne Hrdlicka, Chair, Australian Open
Media contacts:
Amy Binder, WTA: + 1 727 502 1233
Simon Higson, ATP: + 44 (0) 7799 784 164
Heather Bowler, ITF: + 44 (0) 7885 966355
Alex Willis, AELTC: + 44 (0) 7970 587 066
Chris Widmaier, USTA: + 1 914 548 3104
Nicolas Beaudelin, FFT: + 33 677 982326
Darren Pearce, TA: + 61 409 506 812
Published 19 December 2018 15:30
