ITIA sanctions two inactive individuals over betting breaches

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) currently serves as an independent body that safeguards the integrity of tennis competitions across the globe.

As the governing body for tennis worldwide, the Agency constantly monitors betting activities and investigates potential breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) rules.

In the event of breaches, the ITIA is permitted to enforce sanctions, including temporary and permanent suspensions and/or monetary fees.

Two inactive covered persons received sanctions over betting offenses, the ITIA announced earlier this week.

Former player and inactive tennis official admit to betting breaches

The agency disclosed a statement, revealing that Steven Nguyen, an inactive Australian national-level official, as well as David Gorsic, a former tennis player from Slovenia, both admitted to betting breaches.

A current investigation conducted by the ITIA uncovered the breaches of the two individuals, who at the time were involved in tennis.

The agency refers to players, coaches or other tennis staff as covered persons.

The breaches of Nguyen dated to a period between 2021 and 2023.

On the other hand, Gorsic's betting activities took place between 2017 and 2018.

"David Gorsic, a Slovenian former tennis player, and Steven Nguyen, an inactive Australian national-level official, both admitted to betting on tennis while covered by the TACP. Though historic, the offenses were discovered by the ITIA during current investigations, and sanctions have been issued in line with TACP sanctioning guidelines,"

explained the ITIA

ITIA hands down suspensions, fines

Although the two officials are no longer active, penalties were still enforced against each of them.

Nguyen, who used to be a national-level official at ITF Junior, wheelchair and W25 events, received a suspension and a fine.

The Agency confirmed that the official received a three-month sanction, effectively prohibiting him from participating, officiating or even attending any tennis event sanctioned by the ITIA across the globe.

In addition to the suspension, which will remain active through midnight on August 22, 2024, Nguyen received a $2,000 fine of which $1,400 is suspended.

On the other hand, Gorsic, who used to have the highest singles ranking of 1399 in 2015, was also subjected to a suspension.

The Slovenian former tennis player received a suspension for six months of which three are suspended.

Gorsic's ineligibility started on May 21, 2024, and will remain in effect through August 20, 2024.

Besides the suspension, the former tennis player was also sanctioned with $5,000 of which $3,500 is suspended.

In April, ITIA handed a lifetime ban to Pavel Atanasov, a Bulgarian official.

At the time, the Agency said that the official breached the TACP rules on 21 occasions, actions that ultimately resulted in the harsh penalty.

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