Two tennis stars suspended and one fined after breaching corruption rules | Tennis | Sport




Tennis players Joshua Muhire and Anna Lytneva have been punished by the International Integrity Agency (ITIA) for breaking corruption rules. Both players are set for lengthy spells out of the professional game, with Lytneva also handed a four-figure fine following an ITIA investigation.

Rwandan competitor Muhire was charged with 'facilitation of betting' and 'contriving the outcome of an event', with both breaches relating to a match played in September 2023. The 22-year-old, who is unranked, denied the charges, which were upheld by an anti-corruption hearing officer during a video call in December. The officer also passed down a suspension of two years and six months.

Muhire will therefore be out of action until 23 August 2027, with the start date of his suspension listed as 24 February 2025. The banned player will be prohibited from 'playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by members of the ITIA', which includes the ATP, the ITF and organisers of all four Grand Slams.

Lytneva has been sanctioned for 'contriving the outcome of an event', 'facilitating a player not to use their best efforts', 'conspiring to commit a corruption offence', and 'soliciting'.

The ITIA's investigation related to Lytneva's activity in 2023, and she was charged on January 31 of this year. The Russian player did not respond to the charges, the ITIA say.

Lytneva has been given a 12-month suspension, which began on 25 February 2025 and will run until 24 February 2026. She was also slapped with a fine worth approximately £3,870, of which £2,322 is suspended and £1,548 is not.

The ITIA explained: "A 'Deemed Sanction' may be issued to individuals who elect not to respond to the ITIA’s investigations and arbitration process. Individuals have 10 business days to appeal the imposition of a Deemed Sanction to an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer. Lytneva did not appeal."

Lytneva, 22, has a career-high singles ranking of 1377. And her win-loss record in ITF, WTA and Billie Jean King Cup-level matches stands at five victories and 12 defeats, leaving her with a 29 per cent win rate.

According to ITF statistics, Muhire played in nine ITF, WTA or Davis Cup-level matches and lost all of them. He was unranked in men's singles but reached a career-high ranking of 972 in beach tennis doubles.



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Posted: 2025-03-14 19:12:09

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