Tennis coach Bertrand Perret disciplined for breach of Tennis Anti-Corruption Program
Mr Perret suspended from obtaining tournament credentials for three months, with immediate effect
French tennis coach Bertrand Perret has been disciplined for breaching the sport’s anti-corruption code by attempting to change the doubles partner of his former client, Peng Shuai, after the sign-in deadline.
Mr Perret was found to have used coercion and offered the possibility of financial reward in return for Peng Shuai’s main draw partner agreeing to withdraw from the ladies doubles at Wimbledon 2017.
Although the offer was refused and Peng Shuai did not subsequently compete at The Championships, the offer constituted a breach of Section D.1.d of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) which states that: “No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, contrive or attempt to contrive the outcome or any other aspect of any Event.”
Independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Prof Richard H. McLaren considered the case at a Hearing held in London on 16 July 2018, following an investigation by the TIU.
Today’s decision from Prof McLaren imposes a three months suspension of credentials on Mr Perret, who as a tennis coach is a Covered Person under the TACP. With immediate effect, the ruling will prevent him for attending or coaching at any event organised, sanctioned or recognised by the governing bodies of the sport.
Assuming no further breaches of the TACP are committed, he will be eligible to resume attending tournaments on 8 November 2018.
In a companion ruling Prof McLaren imposed a six months ban, with three months suspended, and $10,000 fine, with $5,000 suspended, on Peng Shuai, who worked with Mr Perret between November 2016 and January 2018.
Published 08 August 2018 18:00
