Tennis authorities have banned six Spanish players following a match-fixing scandal that's been dubbed "one of the most significant infiltrations of tennis by organised crime."
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Friday that the players in question have been banned from the sport. Their suspensions range from seven to 22 years, while the group have also been issued fines worth a combined total of more than $700,000 (£565,000).
Marc Fornell-Mestres, who was once ranked 236th in the world, was guilty of the most egregious offence and was therefore banned for 22 years and six months. He was also handed a $250,000 (£200,000) fine by the ITIA, though $200,000 (£160,000) of that is suspended.
Carlos Ortega was fined $150,000 (£120,000)—$140,000 suspended—and banned for 15 years, while Marcos Torralbo and Pedro Bernabe Franco received $100,000 (£80,000) fines. Jaime Ortega was also fined $100,000 but banned for only seven years, while Jorge Marse-Vidri received a 15-year ban but was only fined $15,000 (£12,000), $5,000 of which was suspended.
Jennie Price, who chairs the ITIA, said in a statement: “The conclusion of this long-term investigation is an important moment for tennis in its fight against corruption. Whilst we take no pleasure in seeing six individuals receive criminal convictions and bans, the message is clear: match fixing can lead to a jail sentence and can end your career in tennis.
"It also serves as a warning that organised crime is targeting sport, and governments and law enforcement agencies, as well as anti-corruption bodies in sport, need to take that threat seriously."
The court punishment also included two-year suspended prison sentences for each of the offending players. The ITIA was only able to sanction those concerned once the criminal convictions were confirmed.
As well as being banned from playing in or attending any tennis competitions or events, the six are also prohibited from coaching in the sport. Price praised the "excellent co-operation between the ITIA and Spanish law enforcement agencies, as well as the unswerving support of the tennis bodies."
"This ruling sends a strong message that match-fixing is a crime which can see criminal convictions," added ITIA chief executive Jonny Gray. "We welcome the involvement of law enforcement agencies and the prosecution of entire criminal networks, not just the players involved."
