Wild cards can be helping hands to players.

One tournament director's bid to sell a wild card will cost him six months of his career and a $1,000 fine.

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Bosnian coach and tournament director Robert Biletic has been hit with a six-month suspension from the sport after accepting a charge under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP), the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced today.

Biletic served as tournament director at an ITF 25k event in 2021 when he contacted a player offering to sell a wild card into the event in exchange for payment.

That corrupt offer violates section D.1.k of the 2021 TACP, which states: “No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, offer, pay or accept any money, benefit or Consideration for the provision of a wildcard to an Event.”

This offer was declined by the player, who immediately reported it to the ITIA, triggering an investigation.

Biletic has been provisionally suspended since March 15, 2023.

The case was ruled on by Independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Diana Tesic, who determined that a six-month suspension from the sport and a $1,000 fine was appropriate.

The sanction has been backdated to the start of Biletic’s provisional suspension, which means he is banned from playing in or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by the governing bodies of tennis between March 15, 2023 and September 14, 2023.

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve