The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed that two French players, Mick Lescure and Jules Okala, have been provisionally suspended from the sport by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Charles Hollander QC, pending the full consideration of allegations against them of breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.
The players appealed the initial decision of 24 March 2022 to provisionally suspend them, which was denied by AHO Hollander, and they are accordingly prohibited from competing in or attending any sanctioned tennis events organised by the governing bodies of the sport.
Mr Lescure has a highest ATP ranking of 487 and Mr Okala has a highest ATP ranking of 338.
The provisional suspension was granted under section F.3 of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program rules:
“The ITIA may at any time impose a Provisional Suspension on a Covered Person, including (i) before a Notice of Major Offense has been issued, (ii) before a Hearing or (iii) at any time after a Hearing but prior to the AHO’s issuance of a written Decision.”
The ITIA is an independent body established by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.
ENDS
Published 18 May 2022 15:15
