VIE 29 DE MARZO DE 2024 - 09:10hs.
And $200,000 fine

Lifetime ban for brazilian tennis player Joao Souza after conviction on match-fixing charges

Brazilian tennis player Joao Souza has received a lifetime ban together with a fine of $200,000 after being convicted of multiple match-fixing and associated corruption offences. A Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) investigation established that between 2015 and 2019 the player committed numerous breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). These included repeated incidents of match-fixing at ATP Challenger and ITF Futures tournaments held in Brazil, Mexico, the United States and Czech Republic.

In addition to match-fixing offences, the player was also found to have:

  • failed to report corrupt approaches
  • failed to fully co-operate with the TIU, including destroying evidence
  • solicited other players to not use best efforts      

The case against Mr Souza was considered by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Prof Richard H. McLaren at a disciplinary Hearing held in London on 14 January 2020.

Prof McLaren’s decision to impose a lifetime ban means that with effect from 24 January 2020 the player is permanently ineligible to compete in or attend any sanctioned event organised or recognised by the governing bodies of the sport.

In March 2019, and prior to being charged with corruption offences, Mr Souza had been Provisionally Suspended from professional tennis, pending completion of the TIU investigation and case against him.

The 31-year old is currently ranked 742 in ATP singles, with a career-high of 69 reached in April 2015. As a doubles player his highest ranking was 70, achieved in January 2013.

The Tennis Integrity Unit is an initiative of the ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slam Board, who are jointly committed to a zero tolerance approach to betting-related corruption in professional tennis.

Source: GMB