Five French player receive hefty fines, suspension ITIA after found guilty of match-fixing

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has fined and punished five players involved in the Belgian match-fixing scandal. The scandal, which came under the spotlight in 2023 after it was revealed that a high-profile match-fixing syndicate led by Grigor Sargsyan was active in the lower tier of tennis, has seen many players fined or suspended.

In recent developments, as many as five players from France have been given hefty fines and suspensions for their role in match-fixing. The statement released by the ITIA on Friday explains the reason behind the fines and lengthy suspensions.

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“The sanctions are linked to a criminal case heard in 2023 involving a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium,” said the statement. “38-year-old Yannick Thivant was issued a lifetime ban after admitting to fixing 22 matches between 2017 and 2018, including 16 of their own. All charges were upheld, and Thivant was fined $75,000, in addition to €37,400 in restitution. 28-year-old Thomas Brechemier, was issued a seven years and six months suspension by AHO Ian Mill KC, after admitting to fixing 11 matches between 2017 and 2018.

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The statement continued: “Brechemier was also fined $40,000, of which $27,500 is suspended. 29-year-old Gabriel Petit, was issued a six years and six months suspension by AHO Charles Hollander KC, alongside a fine of $35,000, after Petit failed to respond to the ITIA’s charges. 29-year-old Thomas Setodji, has been suspended for 10 years and fined $20,000, in addition to €5,500 restitution, after being found liable for fixing three matches in 2017 and failing to report a corrupt approach in 2018. 28-year-old Hugo Daubias, has been suspended for two years and fined $15,000 after admitting as part of an ITIA investigation to fixing two matches in 2017. The sanction took effect on 21 March 2025, as Daubias did not appeal the notice of charge, and the player’s suspension will end on 20 March 2027.”

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