Share

Italian banned for life over tennis match-fixing

London - Daniele Bracciali has been banned from tennis for life and fined $250 000 for match-fixing offences, the Tennis Integrity Unit announced on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old Italian, ranked 95 in doubles, was found guilty of match-fixing and associated offences relating to the ATP World Tour 500 tournament played in Barcelona in April 2011.

He was also found to have facilitated betting relating to the Barcelona doubles match.

"The finding of guilt and imposition of the lifetime suspension means that with immediate effect Bracciali is prohibited from playing in or attending any sanctioned events organised or recognised by the governing bodies of the sport," said a statement from the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU).

Bracciali reached a career-best doubles ranking of 21 in June 2012. As a singles player his highest ranking was 49.

In a separate ruling, former Italian player Potito Starace has been banned from involvement in the sport for 10 years and fined $100 000 after being found guilty of match-fixing.

Starace, 37, reached a career-best singles ranking of 27 and a career-best 40 in doubles.

His offences also relate to the Barcelona tournament, where he played in the singles.

The Italian tennis federation banned Bracciali and Starace for life for match-fixing in August 2015 but Starace's suspension was lifted later the same year and Bracciali's ban reduced to 12 months.

The TIU is an initiative of the Grand Slam Board, the International Tennis Federation, and the ATP and the WTA tours, aimed at stamping out corruption in the game.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1843 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1810 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1100 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 470 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 261 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE