Authorities in Spain have revealed that they have arrested 34 people, including six tennis players, during an investigation into allegations of match-fixing in lower-tier tournaments.
The Associated Press news agency reported that the probe covers events across Portugal and Spain and that the people detained are allegedly involved in a network that is said to have made an amount of $500,000 (€438,500) from fixing matches in Futures and Challengers contests.
Although the Spanish players that were arrested as part of the investigation were not identified, authorities confirmed that they are ranked between No. 800 and 1,200 in the world. According to the police, evidence of match-fixing activities had been found in 17 men’s competitions.
Each of the 34 individuals arrested in the investigation could face up to four years in prison if found guilty of corruption in sport.
Following a tip received from a player over possible match-fixing activities, the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), the sport’s anti-corruption body, said in an email that investigation of corruption allegations by law enforcement agencies takes precedence over tennis disciplinary action. The email went on to say that the TIU will continue to work co-operatively with Spanish police and offers its full support and access to resources.
Khalid Ali, Secretary General of betting integrity body ESSA, revealed that there is concern at the continuing integrity issue within the sport. He added that the association welcomed the more proactive approach to combatting match-fixing being displayed by the sport’s governing authorities.
Ali went on to say that ESSA continues to liaise closely with the Tennis Integrity Unit and share data surrounding potential corruption.
