The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) has confirmed that Ben Rutherford will join the organisation as Senior Director, Legal in December 2020 ahead of the organisation becoming the sport’s first fully independent anti-corruption organisation in January 2021.
Rutherford joins the TIU from World Rugby where he was Senior Legal Counsel and Integrity Unit Manager. During his eleven years at World Rugby, Rutherford established and headed World Rugby’s integrity programme which has been heralded by the UN, IOC, INTERPOL and the Gambling Commission. His role at the International Tennis Integrity Agency (itia) will see him build a small internal team to take on responsibility for proceedings against individuals in the sport concerning corruption matters. The ITIAwill also take on responsibility for anti-doping matters within the sport in January 2022.
Rutherford is hugely experienced in sports law, with experience across corruption, betting, anti-doping, governance, discipline and athlete education in particular. He has worked on various committees and projects with the IOC, WADA, UN and INTERPOL on matters of anti-doping and corruption in sport.
Jonny Gray, CEO of the TIU commented, “Ben is a global expert in anti-corruption and anti-doping in sport and has achieved great things within world rugby. We are thrilled that he will be joining us as we start on a new chapter for integrity in sport.”
Ben Rutherford commented, “I have had a fantastic eleven years at World Rugby and I’m extremely proud of the work I’ve done there. It is fascinating to be at the start of a new journey in tennis with the formation of the ITIAand I can’t wait to begin.”
The Tennis Integrity Unit becomes the International Tennis Integrity Agency on 1 January 2021. The Tennis Integrity Unit is an initiative of the ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slam Board, who are jointly committed to a zero tolerance approach to betting-related corruption in professional tennis.
Ends
Published 21 October 2020 18:30
