Lifetime ban and $20,000 fine for Helen Ploskina after being found guilty of match-fixing offences

Ukrainian tennis player ranked 821 in ITF World Tennis singles

Ukrainian tennis player Helen Ploskina has been handed a lifetime ban and $20,000 fine after being found guilty of match-fixing and related offences by an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer.

A Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) investigation established that the 22-year old, currently ranked 821 in ITF World Tennis singles, introduced another player to a corruptor, who offered that individual payment in return for agreeing to fix the outcome of matches. The offences took place in October 2016.

In addition, she was found guilty of two further offences of failing to report knowledge of corrupt activity and failing to co-operate with a TIU investigation.

The sanction and fine were imposed in a decision issued today, 28 May 2019, by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Ian Mill QC. As a result, and with immediate effect, the player is permanently excluded from competing in or attending any sanctioned event organised or recognised by the governing bodies of the sport.

Currently ranked 821 in ITF World Tennis singles, Ms Ploskina has a career high ranking of 698 WTA, in October 2014.

The relevant sections of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program she was found to have breached are:

Section 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.”

Section D.2.a.ii: “In the event any Player knows or suspects that any other Covered Person or other individual has committed a Corruption Offense, it shall be the Player's obligation to report such knowledge or suspicion to the TIU as soon as possible.”

Section D.2.c: “For the avoidance of doubt, (i) a failure of the Reporting Obligation by any Covered Person; and/or (ii) a failure of the duty to cooperate under Section F.2 shall constitute a Corruption Offense for all purposes of the Program.”

The Tennis Integrity Unit is an initiative of the Grand Slam Board, the International Tennis Federation, the ATP and the WTA, who are jointly committed to a zero tolerance approach to corruption in tennis.