Six Moroccan tennis players have been banned for breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) rules.
The bans, which range from nine years to a lifetime ban, stem from match-fixing charges, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced. The highest-ranked player among the six reached a career-high rank of No. 576.
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The cases were ruled on by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Charles Hollander QC, who after a hearing ruled that:
Amine Ahouda is banned for 11 years and fined $5,000 USD.
Anas Chakrouni is banned for 10 years and fined $5,000 USD.
Ayoub Chakrouni is banned for life and fined $10,000 USD.
Mohamed Zakaria Khalil is banned for 9 years and fined $5,000 USD.
Soufiane El Mesbahi is banned for 9 years and fined $5,000 USD.
Yassir Kilani is banned for 9 years and fined $5,000 USD.
The sanctions mean that the players are prohibited from playing in or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by any international tennis governing body or national association for the length of their bans.
Mr. Hollander found that the players were guilty of multiple offenses and a variety of match fixing charges, including fixing elements of matches, receiving money for fixing and failing to report corrupt approaches. The ITIA investigation found that the players’ offences were linked and therefore were subject to a joint hearing.
The players’ suspensions begin from the date of their provisional suspension on July 13th, 2021 and they have 20 business days from the date of receipt of the decision to lodge any appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
To read the individual charges for each player, please click the ITIA announcement here.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve