French tennis player Mitjana has been slapped with an 11-time breach of the ITIA Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP), resulting in a ban from the sport until December 2033.
Mitjana, who achieved a career-high world singles ranking of 458 in 2018, vehemently denied all allegations.
These charges stem from match-fixing incidents occurring in 2017 and 2018.
The violations that led to Mitjana’s suspension include contraventions of sections D.1.b, D.1.d, D.1.e, and D.2.a.i of the TACP.
These infractions involve activities such as facilitating wagering, manipulating match outcomes, influencing fellow players not to give their best efforts, and failing to report corrupt approaches.
This suspension took effect immediately upon the decision on December 22, 2023, rendering Mitjana ineligible to participate, coach, or even attend any professional tennis events until December 21, 2033.
This prohibition extends to all events sanctioned by the ITIA or any national association.
This case is not isolated; it is part of a wider web of match-fixing that has ensnared numerous individuals. It is the latest connection to a recently concluded criminal case centered on a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium.
Syndicate leader Grigor Sargsyan was recently found guilty and handed a five-year prison sentence, thanks to a collaborative effort between the ITIA and Belgian authorities.
Sargsyan had spent the years since 2018 building a sprawling network of over 180 tennis players spanning five continents, earning him the dubious title of “the man who built the biggest match-fixing ring in tennis” by The Washington Post.
In the last three months alone, the ITIA has taken action against 21 players and officials, with this intensified crackdown beginning after Sargsyan’s conviction in November.
Initially, 16 players were banned in November 2023, as reported by iGaming Business on November 13, 17, and 24.
Mitjana’s case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of professional tennis, ensuring that players and officials adhere to strict anti-corruption guidelines to preserve the sport’s credibility and fairness.