Tennis Player Match Fixing Scandal: Players Banned For Six Months
A tennis player match fixing scandal is causing headlines today. The Tennis Integrity Unit has banned two players for six months after their actions were discovered, according to Bloomberg.
Walter Trusendi and Elie Rousset admitted to match fixing at an unnamed 2014 event. However, both men played in only one tennis tournament in Morocco last June, and both men lost their matches in that 2014 tournament.
Bloomberg reported the following about the sanctions put in place against both players.
“Trusendi, ranked 425th on the men’s ATP World Tour, was banned for six months and fined $5,000. The 576th-ranked Rousset was banned for six months, with three months suspended for good behavior. He was also fined $5,000, with $2,000 to be paid before the end of the three-month period of ineligibility, and the remainder suspended ‘subject to good behavior.'”
This is not the first 2015 suspension for match fixing in tennis. According to USA Today, the Italian Tennis Federation suspended Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace in February for 40 days. This period was set in order to allow the ITF time to review the allegations against the two players.
The investigation is focusing on several instances where the men spoke about selling matches. It is not yet known if the men will face further suspension. It is clear that these allegations are taken seriously after serious investigation.
According to a previous report by Inquisitr, Wayne Odesnik was banned from the sport for 15 years after he tested positive for banned substances. Andy Murray, a British tennis player, spoke up about Odesnik’s suspension.
“It is good for tennis that they got him off tour. It is the end of his career and he can’t even come on site to events or coach. That is a good thing. He is a cheat and it is good for everyone in tennis he is dealt with in the right way.”
Odesnick decided to retire from the sport after the ban was put in place. However, he is trying to fight the ban, according to Fox News.
“In December 2014, I unknowingly ingested a contaminated over-the-counter supplement. Upon learning of my positive test results I was immediately heartbroken as words could not describe my shock and disappointment. Being the most tested American tennis player on the tour, I would never knowingly have taken any chance of consuming a banned substance. The contaminated product is currently with an independent accredited testing laboratory in California for further testing at my own expense, and I am currently considering my legal options.”
The tennis world is showing that they take allegations about behavior that is unlawful according to their rules very seriously. Their actions regarding these players’ misdeeds are evidence of that.
[Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
