London, UK – The Tennis Integrity Unit, an initiative of the Grand Slam Committee, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the ATP World Tour and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, announced today that Ekaterina Bychkova of Russia has been found to have committed an offence under Articles D.2 and E of the Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme, namely failing to report an offer to influence the outcome of a tennis match.
A Tennis Integrity Unit investigation found that Ms. Bychkova received a proposal to provide inside information and influence the outcome of matches in exchange for substantial compensation, which was not disclosed by Ms. Bychkova until questioned by investigators from the Tennis Integrity Unit. The findings of the investigation were presented to an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing officer, Professor Richard McLaren.
While the Hearing Officer found no evidence that Ms. Bychkova contrived or accepted any compensation to contrive the outcome or any other aspect of a tennis match, he did determine that Ms.Bychkova is deemed to have committed an offence under the Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme by failing to report the proposal. The Hearing Officer assessed a fine in the amount of US$5,000 and ordered Ms. Bychkova to serve a thirty (30) day period of ineligibility, effective immediately, during which she is barred from participation in any event organized or sanctioned by any Governing Body of the Programme.
Published 08 January 2010 12:31
