ITIA bans six Spanish tennis players for match-fixing

ITIA has reported in a press release that the players were convicted in Spain, as part of a larger case related to organized crime.

All six players, Marc Fornell Mestres (highest ATP ranking 236), Jorge Marse Vidri (highest ATP ranking 562) and unranked players Carlos Ortega, Jaime Ortega, Marcos Torralbo and Pedro Bernabe Franco pleaded guilty to corruption charges. in Spain, resulting in criminal convictions. All players received suspended prison sentences of two years, as well as a fine.

This decision marks the end of a five-year process that involved cooperation between ITIA (formerly the Tennis Integrity Unit), Spanish law enforcement and the betting industry, through the International Tennis Integrity Association. the Bets (IBIA).

The ITIA has been able to sanction players after court decisions and has imposed heavy penalties which we describe below:

• Marc Fornell Mestres is banned from tennis for 22 years and six months, and fined $250,000 – with $200,000 suspended
• Jorge Marse Vidri is banned from tennis for 15 years, and fined $15,000 – with $5,000 suspended
• Carlos Ortega is banned from tennis for 15 years, and fined $150,000 – with $140,000 suspended
• Jaime Ortega is banned from tennis for 7 years and six months, and fined $100,000 - with $90,000 suspended
• Marcos Tarralbo is banned from tennis for 15 years, and fined $100,000 – with $85,000 suspended
• Pedro Bernabe Franco is banned from tennis for 15 years, and fined $100,000 – with $75,000 suspended

ITIA highlights that the sanctions mean that they are prohibited from playing or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by any international tennis governing body or national association for the duration of their prohibitions. They also cannot train in the professional game.

In this regard, ITIA Chair, Jennie Price, and said: “The conclusion of this long-term investigation is an important moment for tennis in its fight against corruption. Whilst we take no pleasure in seeing six individuals receive criminal convictions and bans, the message is clear: match fixing can lead to a jail sentence and can end your career in tennis.

Along these lines, she warns that sport is a target of organized crime, so it is necessary for governments and law enforcement to take this threat seriously.

ITIA CEO Jonny Gray commented: “This is one of the most significant infiltrations of tennis by organized crime that we have seen. We welcome the involvement of law enforcement agencies and the prosecution of entire criminal networks, not just the players involved”.

He has also thanked the gaming industry, more specifically the gambling subsector, for the evidence that led to these convictions. Also, he has valued the collaboration with the Spanish law enforcement agencies, the support of the tennis organizations, as well as the hard work of the ITIA's investigative, intelligence and legal teams.