Corruption in Tennis: referees and players banned over global match-fixing scheme
Behind the scenes, what is seen in tennis is a constant effort by the authorities to contain a problem that threatens the sport’s credibility: corruption. And anyone who thinks this is limited to players is mistaken — even referees are being caught in match-fixing schemes.
In recent weeks, the (ITIA, in its English acronym) announced the suspension of three referees: Luis Rodriguez, Antonio Sosa, and Wellingthon Lopez. All were found guilty of violating the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP) by manipulating match data to facilitate sports betting. The three deny involvement, but the investigations were sufficient for the punishments to be applied.
Luis Rodriguez, for example, was banned from tennis for life. According to the ITIA, he altered data from six matches between 2018 and 2020 in the Dominican Republic. In December 2024, after a hearing conducted by an independent official, it was decided that he could no longer hold any position related to the sport. In addition, he was fined US$15,000. “It was not an isolated error, but a series of actions that undermined the integrity of tennis,” explained Richard Young, the person responsible for the decision.
Antonio Sosa, also involved in match-fixing during two matches in 2021, received a lighter, yet still severe punishment: a five-year suspension and a fine of US$3,000. Wellingthon Lopez, accused of incidents in 2019 and 2020, was suspended for four and a half years and had to pay a fine of US$1,000. Both suspensions are retroactive, which means Sosa can return to work in 2027 and Lopez in 2025.
Match-fixing network reaches across borders
These cases, however, are far from isolated. Today’s scenario reveals a much broader and organised problem, with reach across several countries. An example of this is the match-fixing scheme based in Belgium, which involved an international syndicate led by Grigor Sargsyan. Convicted in 2023 to five years in prison, Sargsyan led a network of gamblers who influenced matches around the world. More than 180 players from at least 35 countries are said to be connected to the group.
Five European players — Yannick Thivant, Thomas Brechemier, Gabriel Petit, Thomas Setodji, and Hugo Daubias — have already been punished with suspensions ranging from a few months to years. All were found guilty of acts of corruption between 2017 and 2018. These athletes were accused of accepting money in exchange for planned defeats, double faults at specific moments, or other subtle types of manipulation that went unnoticed by the public.
What surprises many fans of the sport is the profile of those involved. Many of these referees and players do not perform at major tournaments like Roland Garros, Wimbledon, or the US Open. They are part of the lower circuit — smaller tournaments with little media coverage but with high betting activity. Precisely because of this, they become easy targets: they earn less and have little visibility.
Efforts to detect and prevent match-fixing
According to the ITIA, monitoring is now more technological, using software that tracks suspicious changes in odds (betting prices) and even behaviour analysis on the court. In addition, the agency runs educational campaigns for athletes and referees. These programs teach them how to spot suspicious approaches and report bribery attempts through the proper channels.
Match-fixing in tennis — as in other sports — is a complex challenge. It involves easy money, international criminal networks, and a betting market that moves billions every year.
The big question that remains is: can tennis remain clean amid so many scandals? Because, in the end, what’s at stake is not just a match — it’s the credibility of an entire sport.
This article was first published in Portuguese on 22 April 2025.
