In a decisive move against corruption in tennis, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has suspended Leny Mitjana for ten years and imposed a $20,000 fine. The punishment comes in response to Mitjana’s breach of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) in a staggering 11 separate incidents.
Mitjana’s infractions included contriving the outcome of matches, and his involvement in a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium that was dismantled in collaboration with Belgian authorities. The leader of the syndicate, Grigor Sargsyan, faced the consequences with a five-year custodial sentence following a concluded trial.
Effective from the decision date on December 22, 2023, Mitjana is prohibited from participating in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by the ITIA members, including ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, French Tennis Federation, Wimbledon, and USTA, as well as any other national association.
Mitjana was found guilty of violating sections D.1.b, D.1.d, D.1.e, and D.2.a.i of the TACP. These sections pertain primarily to match-fixing-related activities, such as influencing players not to exert their best efforts in specific matches, facilitating sports betting, controlling match outcomes, and failing to report corrupt enterprises. The offenses are believed to have occurred between 2017 and 2018, although the specific details of the matches involved have not yet been disclosed.
The court hearing for Mitjana took place on November 8, 2023, with Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Phillipe Cavalieros presiding over the case.
In other news, Slovenian tennis official Marko Ducman also faced a 10-year suspension from the ITIA due to multiple breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). These measures underscore the tennis authorities’ commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport and safeguarding it against corruption and illicit activities.
