The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has suspended two Argentinian women’s tennis players for a combined total of ten years for match fixing.
The London-based integrity body took to X Wednesday to share independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Diana Tesic’s decision to suspend Melina Ferrero and Sofia Luini for three and seven years, respectively:
According to an ITIA news release, the ban of the Argentinian pair is linked to the recently concluded criminal case against a Belgium-based match-fixing syndicate. Via ITIA’s collaboration with the Belgian Federal Police, the case successfully prosecuted syndicate leader Grigor Sargsya, with a judge handing him a five-year custodial sentence.
12 charges against her in connection to three games in 2017 and 2018
Ferrero didn’t respond to the ITIA’s 12 charges against her in connection to three games in 2017 and 2018 but still got hit with the three-year ban and fine of $15,000. Luini, who is also 31, contested the ITIA’s 24 charges against her in connection to six games planned in 2017 and 2018, and despite getting the body to drop two charges, still got hit with a seven-year ban and $30,000 fine.
Ferrero’s tennis career peaked with a world singles ranking of 731 in May 2015, while Luini’s star rose as high as 492 in the singles rankings in September 2014. The ITIA’s suspension of the pair was backdated to start from July 23, 2024. Ferrero’s ban will end on July 22, 2027, Luini’s on July 22, 2031.
Until then, both athletes are banned from playing, coaching, or attending any professional tennis event authorized or sanctioned by ITIA member organizations including the ATP, ITF, WTA, USTA, and Wimbledon.