Two tennis players, Mohamed Hassan and Houria Boukholda, have faced sanctions from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) due to their involvement in match-fixing offenses. Mohamed Hassan received a lifetime ban and a fine, while Houria Boukholda was handed a two-year ban, with 18 months of the suspension.
Lifetime Ban for Mohamed Hassan:
Mohamed Hassan, aged 27, faced severe consequences, including a lifetime ban from professional tennis. Hassan, who had a highest ATP ranking of 1,476, was found guilty of a total of 29 offenses related to seven matches that took place between 2016 and 2018.
Two-Year Ban for Houria Boukholda:
In contrast, Houria Boukholda, aged 20, received a two-year ban, with 18 months of the suspension. She was found guilty of 15 offenses connected to five matches played in 2017 and 2018. The leniency in Boukholda’s sanction was attributed to her age and relative inexperience during the time of the offenses.
Influence of Mohamed Hassan:
Evidence suggested that Houria Boukholda was influenced by Mohamed Hassan in her involvement in the match-fixing offenses. This influence played a role in the decision to issue a more lenient sanction for Boukholda.
Discovery of Offenses:
The offenses came to light as part of ongoing law enforcement investigations in Belgium, underscoring the commitment to combating corruption in professional tennis.
Breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP):
The ITIA identified several specific breaches of the TACP in Mohamed Hassan’s case, including:
Section D.1.d: Prohibiting any covered person from contriving the outcome or any other aspect of an event.
Section D.1.e: Requiring players to use their best efforts in an event.
Section D.1.f: Prohibiting players from accepting money, benefits, or considerations with the intent to negatively influence a player’s performance.
Section D.1.g: Preventing players from offering or providing money, benefits, or considerations to influence other players’ performance.
Section D.2.a.i: Mandating that players report any attempts to offer money, benefits, or inside information that could affect the outcome of an event.
Boukholda’s Breaches:
Houria Boukholda was found in breach of Sections D.1.d, D.1.f, and D.2.a.i of the 2017 and 2018 TACPs, emphasizing the gravity of her involvement in match-fixing activities.
Independent Hearing Officer’s Ruling:
Independent anti-corruption hearing officer Janie Soublière presided over the cases. It is notable that neither Mohamed Hassan nor Houria Boukholda engaged with the process nor responded to the charges.
The sanctions imposed on Mohamed Hassan and Houria Boukholda serve as a stern reminder of the tennis community’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport. Match-fixing offenses undermine the fairness and credibility of tennis competitions, and the ITIA’s actions reflect its dedication to combating corruption within the sport. The specific breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme highlight the measures in place to uphold the principles of fair play and transparency in professional tennis.