Five French tennis players sanctioned for match-fixing violations
The penalties stem from match-fixing activities that occurred in 2017 and 2018, linked to a Belgian criminal case that concluded in 2023.
Key points:
– Five French players have been sanctioned for match-fixing activities between 2017 and 2018
– Penalties include one lifetime ban and multiple multi-year suspensions
– Sanctions follow a broader investigation into a Belgian match-fixing syndicate
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has announced disciplinary action against five French tennis players for violations of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP), linked to a Belgian match-fixing syndicate investigated between 2017 and 2018.
The sanctions follow a 2023 criminal case in Belgium, which resulted in a five-year prison sentence for syndicate leader Grigor Sargsyan.
Among the most severe penalties is a lifetime ban for 38-year-old Yannick Thivant. Once ranked world No. 590, Thivant admitted to fixing 22 matches, including 16 of his own.
Independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Professor Richard McLaren imposed the lifetime suspension and a fine of $75,000, along with €37,400 ($41,000) in restitution.
Thomas Brechemier, 28, who reached a career-high ranking of 399, received a seven-year-and-six-month suspension and a $40,000 fine (with $27,500 suspended) after admitting to fixing 11 matches. His suspension began on 12 February 2025 and will last until August 2032.
Gabriel Petit, 29, failed to respond to the ITIA’s charges and was suspended for six years and six months. Found guilty of fixing seven matches, Petit received a $35,000 fine. His suspension began on 21 March 2025.
Another 29-year-old, Thomas Setodji, was banned for 10 years and fined $20,000, with €5,500 in restitution. He was found liable for fixing three matches and failing to report a corrupt approach.
Finally, 28-year-old Hugo Daubias was suspended for two years after admitting to fixing two matches in 2017. His sanction includes a $15,000 fine and runs until March 2027.
Good to know: During their suspensions, all five players are barred from participating in, coaching at or attending any ITIA-authorised tennis events globally
This announcement follows similar integrity actions by the ITIA in recent months, including the December 2024 suspension of Bosnian tennis official Damjan Dejanovic for four years.
Dejanovic was found liable for six TACP violations, including wagering on tennis matches and match scoring data manipulation.
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