ITIA bans two players for breaching corruption codes

The International Integrity Agency (ITIA) has handed bans to tennis players for breaching corruption codes. Joshua Muhire from Rwanda and Russia’s Anna Lytneva are set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

As per the report published by English media outlet Daily Express, Muhire has been suspended from taking part in professional tennis for two and half years on charges of 'facilitation of betting' and 'contriving the outcome of an event'. The 22-year-old has denied those charges but failed to prove them wrong. He will be eligible to return to the court in August 2027. During his time on the court, he will not be allowed to play, coach or attend any events in any facility or events authorized by the part of ITF, including the ATP, WTA and all four Grand Slams.

On the other hand, Russia’s Lytneva has been handed a 12-month suspension after being found guilty on three charges — contriving the outcome of an event, facilitating a player not to use their best efforts conspiring to commit a corruption offence, and soliciting. Those charges are labelled against the player for activities in 2023. Lytneva was also handed a fine of approximately £3,870 for not responding to the charges. Out of that fine, £2,322 is a suspended fine.

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that two tennis players have been sanctioned under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program,” said the statement. “22-year-old Joshua Muhire, from Rwanda, was charged with two breaches of the TACP (D.1.b, facilitation of betting, and D.1.d, contriving the outcome of an Event) relating to a match played in September 2023. Muhire, unranked, denied the charges. A hearing was held via video conference on 9 December 2024 before independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Diana Tesic, following which AHO Tesic upheld the charges and issued a suspension of two years and six months. Muhire has been suspended since 24 February 2025, the date of the written decision, and their period of ineligibility will end at midnight of 23 August 2027. On 31 January 2025, 22-year-old Anna Lytneva, from Russia, was charged with four breaches of the TACP (D.1.d, contriving the outcome of an Event, D.1.e, facilitating a player not to use their best efforts, D.1.n, conspiring to commit a corruption offense, and D.1.o, soliciting), relating to activity in 2023. Lytneva, who reached a career-high ITF singles ranking of 1377 in April 2022, did not respond to the charges.”