Italian tennis player Claudia Coppola has been suspended for six months and fined US$4,000 after admitting offenses under the 2013 Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.
The fine will be reduced to US$3,000 if the player completes a Tennis Integrity Unit anti-corruption training program. 18-year old Ms Coppola admitted contravening Articles D.1.d and D.1.e of the Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Program, namely:
• Article D.1.d - No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, contrive or attempt to contrive the outcome or any other aspect of any Event
• Article D.1.e - No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or facilitate any Player to not use his or her best efforts in any Event
The suspension applies with immediate effect and means that the player is not eligible to participate in any tournament or competition organised or authorised by the governing bodies of professional tennis.
The case against her was based on the findings of a Tennis Integrity Unit Investigation, which was then considered by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer, Richard H. McLaren.
Consistent with the confidentiality of the anti-corruption disciplinary process, no further details of the case will be made public.
The Tennis Integrity Unit is an initiative of the Grand Slam Committee, the International Tennis Federation, the ATP World Tour and the WTA, who are jointly committed to a zero tolerance approach to corruption in tennis.
Published 18 September 2013 12:59
