Spanish Police Bust Match-Fixing Ring

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Spanish Police Bust Match-Fixing Ring

Corruption continues to strike pro tennis.

Spanish police have hit back.

Watch: Gutted Andy Murray Announces Retirement

The Guardia Civil have busted a match-fixing ring, alleging 83 people, including 28 players, were involved in the corruption.

Authorities say the ring bribed pro players to fix matches primarily at the ITF Challenger and Futures level, though one of the players involved played the 2018 US Open.

“Fifteen people have been arrested, among them the heads of the organization, and another 68 are under investigation,” the Guardia Civil said in a statement published by The Guardian. “Of those 83, 28 are professional tennis players who have either been detained or investigated— one of whom took part in the last US Open.”

The investigation was sparked by complaints filed by the Tennis Integrity Unit.

The Guardia Civil said Armenian gang members bribed players to fix matches then visited tournament grounds to use "their overwhelming muscle to make sure the players kept their end of the deal."

Authorities say the gang's match-fixing operation dates back to at least February 2017 and estimate they made millions of euros in profits.

The Guardia Civil said it recovered about $191,000 in cash, electronic devices, jewelry and a hand gun during raids on 11 residences in Spain. Authorities say they have frozen 42 bank accounts and confiscated property as part of the case.

"Those currently under arrest ran the money through different accounts before finally transferring it to those under their control, always using false names," the Guardia Civil said in a statement. "They are suspected of membership of a criminal organisation, corrupting private individuals, fraud, money laundering, illegal possession of firearms and identity theft."

An independent panel, which interviewed over 3,200 players and spent over $20 million investigating charges of corruption in tennis, released its findings last year reporting the lower levels of the pro circuit are "a fertile breeding ground" for corruption.

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