A review of the terms of the lifetime ban imposed on Serbian tennis player David Savic for corruption offenses in October 2011, has reconfirmed his permanent exclusion as a player, but will allow him to act as a coach, with effect from March 2016.
An appeal lodged by Mr Savic to be allowed to coach – he did not seek to challenge the permanent playing ban - was considered by Independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Professor Richard H McLaren.
Professor McLaren’s Decision took into consideration the substantial assistance provided by the former player to the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) since his exclusion from the sport. This has included support for the TIU’s player education program, in which he has appeared in a film to warn other players against involvement in betting-related corruption.
The Decision means that with effect from 29 March 2016 he will be allowed to coach and attend tournaments and events. The permanent playing ban will remain in place, meaning he will never be allowed to compete as a professional tennis player.
Should he commit any further corruption offense in the future, the terms of the original ban will come into immediate effect.
In October 2011, Mr Savic, now 30, was banned from tennis for life and fined US$100,000 after being found guilty of three offenses under the then Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.
In September 2012, following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the permanent suspension was upheld but the fine was withdrawn.
Consistent with the confidentiality of the Anti-Corruption Hearing process, no further details of the Appeal or Decision will be made public.
The Tennis Integrity Unit is an initiative of the Grand Slam Board, 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 November 2015 11:27
