ITIA bans Thai tennis player for 12 years for breaching anti-corruption code

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has banned Thai tennis player Natthasith Kunsuwan for 12 years after being found guilty of breaching the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). Corruption and match-fixing in tennis have been addressed by ITIA in recent years, with various players being banned for different periods depending on the offences committed.

In the most recent episode of such cases, the ITIA has banned the Thai player Kunsuwan for 12 years after he was found guilty of 39 breaches. According to the statement released by the ITIA, Kunsuwan admitted to 39 breaches of anti-corruption rules, including contriving the outcome of events, accepting money to contrive the outcome of events, and failure to report corrupt approaches. The statement confirmed that Kunsuwan cooperated with ITIA during the investigation. He has been handed a fine of $75,000, out of which $56,250 was suspended. Kunsuwan will be able to return to professional tennis in 2036.

“Thai tennis player Natthasith Kunsuwan has been suspended for a period of 12 years after admitting to 39 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP),” the statement read. “Kunsuwan, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 1316 in October 2018, admitted to breaches of the TACP between 2022 and 2024, including contriving the outcome of events, accepting money to contrive the outcome of events, and failure to report corrupt approaches. The player has been fined $75,000, of which $56,250 is suspended.”

During the same press release, it was confirmed that French player Jaimee Floyd Angele has also been handed a five-year and three-month suspension. Floyd Angele received a suspension after admitting to fixing a match in 2022 in return for a payment. The player was also found guilty of failing to cooperate with ITIA’s investigation and destroying evidence. The former world number 463 was fined $20,000 and will be allowed to resume tennis activities in 2029.

“French tennis player Jaimee Floyd Angele has been suspended for a period of five years and three months, after admitting to contriving one match in exchange for payment in 2022, failing to co-operate with an ITIA investigation, and destroying evidence,” said the statement. “The 25-year-old Angele, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 463 in August 2022, accepted the sanction and was also fined $20,000, of which $10,000 is suspended. The sanction is backdated to the start of the player’s provisional suspension, on 19 September 2024, and will expire on 18 December 2029.

Former Brazil player Christian Lindell, who represented Sweden as well, was handed a seven-year ban from tennis. He was found guilty of breaching two codes of the anti-corruption code. He was handed a $10,000 fine as well. “Brazilian-born former player Christian Lindell, who represented Sweden, has been suspended for a period of seven years after being found to have committed four breaches of the TACP, relating to one fixed match, by AHO Diana Tesic, following a hearing,” said the statement. “33-year-old Lindell, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 177 in July 2015, was linked to the criminal case involving a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium. In addition to the ban, the player has also been fined $10,000. The sanction commenced on 10 June 2025 and will expire on 9 June 2032.”

Former French player Samuel Bensoussan received a nearly two-year ban. He was also investigated in a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium. He received a fine of $12,000. “Finally, French former tennis player Samuel Bensoussan has been suspended for a period of one year and 11 months after being found to have fixed four matches by AHO Philippe Cavalieros following a hearing,” the statement said. “33-year-old Bensoussan, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 405 in June 2018, was also linked to the criminal case involving a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium. In addition to the ban, the player has also been fined $12,000. The sanction commenced on 23 May 2025 and will expire on 22 April 2027.”