Biggest match-fixing controversy in history sees five more players suspended for corruption

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has officially confirmed the imposition of sanctions on five tennis players for violations of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).

These penalties are directly connected to a recently concluded legal case involving a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium. The collaboration between the ITIA and Belgian authorities resulted in a five-year custodial sentence for the syndicate's leader, Grigor Sargsyan.

The sanctions, overseen by Professor Richard McLaren, an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO), were applied after the five players chose not to challenge the charges brought against them by the ITIA, either at all or within the specified time frame set by the TACP. The sanctions for all players commenced on September 30, 2023.

Alberto Rojas Maldonado from Mexico, who achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of 992 in 2015, faced 92 proven breaches of the TACP, the second-highest recorded for an individual. As a consequence, he received a lifetime ban from the sport and a maximum fine of $250,000 for his pivotal role in corrupting fellow players.

Guatemalan Christopher Díaz Figueroa, who reached an ATP career-high ranking of 326 in 2011 and previously served a three-year suspension for match-fixing (with one year suspended), has now been banned from the sport for life. Additionally, he was fined $75,000 for 13 further TACP breaches, including match-fixing and facilitating wagering.

Mexican José Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 1367 in 2017, faced guilt for eight TACP breaches, including match-fixing and facilitating wagering. AHO McLaren determined that Rodríguez acted collaboratively with Maldonado to achieve "significant financial gain." As a result, he has been suspended for 12 years and fined $25,001, with the suspension concluding on September 29, 2035.

Mexican Antonio Ruiz Rosales, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 652 in 2008, received a 10-year suspension and a $30,000 fine for seven TACP breaches, including match-fixing and facilitating wagering. Ruiz's suspension will conclude on September 29, 2033.

Mexican Orlando Alcántara Rangel, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 1735 in 2015, was suspended for two years and fined $10,000 for two TACP breaches. Alcántara's suspension will conclude on September 29, 2025.

Throughout their suspensions, the players are prohibited from participating in, coaching, or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by ITIA members, including the ATP, ITF, WTA, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, or any national association.