Tennis Integrity Unit Briefing Note: July – September 2018

Latest TIU app for Android and Apple devices

The latest TIU App with up-to-date guidance and information on the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) is now available for download onto Android (Google play) and Apple (App Store) devices. Designed for players, coaches, officials, agents, tournament staff and others connected to professional tennis, it provides a comprehensive list of the TACP rules, tips and links to further resources.

TIU working with INTERPOL and Council of Europe to tackle sporting corruption

The TIU continues to work closely with major high level international initiatives aimed at tackling corruption across sport. During September TIU officers presented at INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force held in Lyon, France. The meeting brought 80 officials from global law enforcement, international organisations, government departments and worldwide sporting associations together to identify new ways to investigate and cooperate in cases related to sports corruption and match-fixing. Later in the month the unit participated in a series of thematic workshops at the 3rd International Conference on the fight against the manipulation of sports competitions – the Macolin Convention, held in Strasbourg, France on 24-25 September, www.coe.int/macolin

TIU Match Alert Data: July to September 2018

During the third quarter of 2018, July to September inclusive, the TIU received a total of 63 match alerts through its confidential Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the regulated betting industry.

Consistent with previous reporting patterns, the majority of alerts (50 out of 63) were received for matches played on the lower level men’s ATP Challenger and ITF Futures circuits. Two alerts were received for the US Open and none were recorded for the main ATP or WTA tours.

The Q3 figure of 63 alerts compares with 65 received in the same period in 2017, 96 in 2016 and 64 in 2015.

During the Q3 period 33,719 matches were played across all professional tournaments and events, with the 63 alerts featuring on 0.187% of those matches.

TIU match alert policy

• every alert reported to the TIU is recorded, assessed and followed up as an indicator that something inappropriate may have happened.  It is important to appreciate that an alert on its own is not evidence of match-fixing;
• there are many reasons other than corrupt activity that can explain unusual betting patterns, such as incorrect odds-setting; well-informed betting; player fitness, fatigue and form; playing conditions and personal circumstances;
• where analysis of a match alert does suggest corrupt activity, the TIU will conduct a full, confidential investigation.

Independent Review Panel 

Following the completion of an extensive consultation process that gathered feedback on the Interim Report, the Independent Review Panel is currently finalising its recommendations for a comprehensive new infrastructure to combat betting-related corruption in tennis. The IRP’s Final Report is expected during the autumn and will be publicly available at www.tennisirp.com

Disciplinary Sanctions July to September 2018 

Between July and September 2018 seven individuals received disciplinary sanctions for breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program; Karim Hossam, Robert Farah, Patricio Heras, Peng Shuai, Bertrand Perret, Luca Gelhardt and Oliver Anderson.

Please note that these sanctions have previously been announced by the TIU and are included here as a retrospective record:

http://www.tennisintegrityunit.com/media-releases/egyptian-tennis-player-karim-hossam-banned-life-and-fined-match-fixing-offences

http://www.tennisintegrityunit.com/media-releases/robert-farah-suspended-suspension-facilitating-betting

http://www.tennisintegrityunit.com/media-releases/patricio-heras-suspended-and-fined-tennis-match-fixing

http://www.tennisintegrityunit.com/media-releases/peng-shuai-disciplined-breach-tennis-anti-corruption-program

http://www.tennisintegrityunit.com/media-releases/tennis-coach-bertrand-perret-disciplined-breach-tennis-anti-corruption-program

http://www.tennisintegrityunit.com/media-releases/luca-gelhardt-suspended-and-fined-betting-tennis

http://www.tennisintegrityunit.com/media-releases/oliver-anderson-convicted-tennis-match-fixing-charges

TIU Annual Review 2018

The TIU Annual Review 2018 is due for publication in January 2019.  To be added to the circulation, request a hard copy and for general TIU enquiries, contact mark.harrison@tennisintegritytunit.com.