TENNIS INTEGRITY UNIT Annual Review 2017 Annual Review
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TENNISTENNIS INTEGRITYINTEGRITY UNITUNIT AnnualAnnual Review 20172017 2 INTRODUCTION Fighting the scourge of betting-related corruption remains the single most important priority for the integrity of our “Fighting the scourge sport. The Tennis Integrity Board met on four occasions during the year to oversee the strategic direction of the of betting-related Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), continue to increase resources and integrity measures and monitor the progress of the corruption remains the Independent Review Panel (IRP). In dealing with corruption, we are acutely aware of the single most important responsibility owed to the future of our sport, especially the young athletes coming into tennis. They must be equipped priority for the integrity with information and advice that allows them to make the right decisions if faced with corrupt approaches. The Board of our sport.” was unanimous in supporting the recruitment of additional members of staff to create a dedicated TIU Education and Training division. Their work will be vital in the months and years ahead. To enhance the investigative capacity of the TIU, the Board also approved the recruitment of more investigative and intelligence experts. For tennis to be successful in meeting current integrity The majority of the TIU’s operational work once again challenges, the work of the IRP will be absolutely crucial. centred on the men’s Futures and Challenger circuits, Adam Lewis and his colleagues have been asked to review all which remain vulnerable to criminal activity from gamblers aspects of the sport’s response to corruption, both historic seeking illegal financial gain. There is no doubt that most and present day. Their Interim Report, now expected in players and officials conduct themselves in an exemplary early 2018, will deliver conclusions and recommendations fashion, but the small minority who choose to break the to guide the way in which we tackle corruption more rules are a continuing concern. The year was notable for effectively in the future. In parallel with the IRP process, we the decision to establish a dedicated TIU Education and have developed proposals for an expanded and independent Training division. By January 2018 we will have a team of Tennis Integrity Organisation. This model has been three highly qualified individuals working hard to develop, submitted to the IRP for consideration. While it is greatly expand and deliver an ambitious new strategy (see pages disappointing that corruption exists in tennis, the Board, 4 and 5 for more details). New staff will also support our on behalf of tennis, remain completely committed to doing investigations and intelligence functions. everything possible to minimise its presence and uphold During 2017 the TIU prosecuted 14 corruption cases and the sport’s hard-won reputation for fairness and integrity. was involved in two CAS appeals. Three players were handed lifetime bans. While our prime focus continues to DAVID HAGGERTY be the enforcement of tennis discipline, we are increasingly Tennis Integrity Board Chairman 2017 involved with wider police investigations around the world. This recognises that law enforcement agencies in many countries are taking a greater interest in sporting corruption, which is a development we welcome. We also continue to work extensively and co-operatively with partners in the betting industry, none more so than colleagues at the European Sports Security Association (see page 9). The increase in educational activity and anticipated high demand for investigative services are reflected in an increased budget for 2018 of US$3.71 million (US$3.23 million in 2017). NIGEL WILLERTON Director, Tennis Integrity Unit 3 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH Four Australian and two Australia’s Oliver Anderson The Tennis Integrity Board Romanian players were was provisionally suspended held its first meeting of the disciplined for breaches of from playing professional year in Indian Wells, California. the Tennis Anti-Corruption tennis by independent anti- Program; Nick Lindahl, corruption Hearing Officer A new online Tennis Integrity Brandon Walkin, Isaac Frost Prof Richard H McLaren, Protection Program went live. THE TIU IN and Calum Puttergill committed pending the conclusion of All players have to complete it corruption offences related a TIU investigation. every two years. to an ITF Futures tournament in Toowoomba, Queensland in September 2013. Romanian Alexandru-Daniel Carpen was 2017 banned for life after admitting to a match-fixing charge; Mihaita Damian was suspended and fined for betting on tennis. APRIL MAY JUNE The TIU’s first quarter Briefing Note confirmed that 30 match Two players, Konstantinos Matthew Perry was recruited alerts were received from January to March (48 in 2016). Mikos (Greece) and Junn as the TIU’s first Education and Mitsuhashi (Japan) received life Training Manager. Anjni Patel The TIU was invited to discuss its work in tennis with delegates bans for match-fixing offences. joined the unit’s Intelligence at INTERPOL’s Match-Fixing Task Force Conference in Bangkok, A third, Nikita Kryvonos (USA), and Information division. Thailand. was suspended for 10 years. Mexican player Daniel Garza’s appeal to CAS was upheld. He had The Tennis Integrity Board held previously been suspended and fined for an alleged breach of the its second meeting of the year Tennis Anti-Corruption Program. at Roland Garros, Paris. JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER Isaac Frost (Australia) was Romanian player Marius Frosa The Tennis Integrity Board held Spanish player Samuel Ribeiro provisionally suspended was suspended for eight months its third meeting of 2017 at the Navarrete was suspended for from playing professional and fined US$1,000 after being US Open in New York. Approval eight months and fined US$1,000 tennis by independent anti- found guilty of betting on tennis. was secured to recruit two new for betting on tennis. corruption Hearing Officer staff for the TIU Education and Prof Richard H McLaren, Training division. It was also The TIU’s third quarter Briefing pending the conclusion of agreed to publish disciplinary Note confirmed that 65 match a TIU investigation. hearing decisions in full for the alerts were received from July first time. to September (96 in 2016). The TIU’s second quarter Briefing Note confirmed that 53 match alerts were received from April to June (73 in 2016). NOVEMBER DECEMBER The Tennis Integrity Board held its fourth meeting of the year in Piotr Gadomski (Poland) London. It approved the recruitment of two additional investigators received an 18 month and an intelligence analyst to support the TIU’s increased workload. suspension for breaching the terms of an existing Abbey-Jayne Tugwood joined as Project Manager in the Education seven year ban. The sanction and Training division. was suspended providing he The TIU was invited to present a paper at a Europol conference in commits no further offences. The Hague, attended by sports corruption experts from 18 member CAS rejected an appeal to impose states. Later in the month the TIU’s Intelligence team took part in a lifetime ban on Nick Lindahl. a working group with gambling operators at an ESSA conference His original 7 year ban and fine in London. was upheld. 4 EDUCATION AND TRAINING THE TEAM In June 2017 Matthew Perry joined the TIU in the new position of Education and Training Manager, bringing with him experience gained from a background in teaching and elite sports anti-doping education. Recruiting a dedicated specialist reflected the vital role education has to play in preparing people in tennis to deal appropriately with the threat of ABBEY-JAYNE TUGWOOD corruption. In September, the Tennis Integrity Board approved two further positions to assist Education Project Manager with implementation of an ambitious Strategic Plan that will deliver an expanded program of education and training activities. Abbey-Jayne Tugwood was appointed as Education Project Manager in November, joining from a position with the ITF Anti-Doping Program. Well known in the sport, she is a fluent Spanish and German speaker who is also an LTA Development Coach. The full team will be completed in January 2018 when Richard Sackey-Addo relocates from a role at the MATTHEW PERRY ITF’s Coach Education Department in Education and Training Manager Valencia, Spain. He holds an MSc in Sports Performance and, like Abbey, is an LTA Delivering a keynote presentation at the RICHARD SACKEY-ADDO certified tennis coach and Spanish speaker. ITF Worldwide Coaching Conference in Sofia, October 2017. Education Co-ordinator TENNIS INTEGRITY EDUCATION ACTIVITY In August 2017 the ITF Knowledge PROTECTION • online programme was launched. It includes an integrity module PROGRAM (TIPP) developed by the TIU. This provides an introduction to the TIU and aims In 2011, tennis became the first sport to to inform and educate players about introduce online anti-corruption education integrity in tennis and to protect them and training. The Tennis Integrity Protection on their journey as a tennis player Program (TIPP) has since been completed by Wimbledon – London, UK – delivered over 30,000 players, officials and tournament • staff. In March 2017 a new and updated TIPP education to agents, officials, players Norwegian Gaming and Foundation was introduced which all players are now and juniors • Authority annual stakeholder meeting required to complete on a biennial basis. In – Oslo, Norway – led an education US Open – New York, USA – delivered line with this, future versions of TIPP will