Tennis coach banned for life for negotiating

Chilean Rivera organized a record 64 fixed matches

Chilean tennis coach Sebastian Rivera has been given a life ban after being convicted of 64 match-fixing charges. This figure is a record for the entire history of investigations of foul play in tennis. The 36-year-old former tennis player, who achieved his best result in 2009 (705 in the ATP rankings), and earned just over $15,000 in prize money in his career, in addition to a lifetime suspension, must pay a fine of $250,000. This decision was made on September 22 by a special commission of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), led by anti-corruption hearing judge Jane Mulcahy. In addition, the Chilean specialist is banned for life from attending any matches and events held under the auspices of the ATP, WTA, ITF, four Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open) and other official tennis events.

Rivera suffered such a severe punishment, among other things, because, according to the ITIA report published on the organization’s website, during the investigation “he was unable to constructively participate in the disciplinary process.”

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency has confirmed that Sebastian Rivera, a Chilean tennis coach and former player, has been banned from the sport for life after being found guilty of 64 match-fixing violations, the highest ever found. during the operation of the ITIA or its predecessor similar disciplinary tennis organizations,” the ITIA said in a statement.

During the investigation, Rivera was found to have violated a number of rules, including inciting others to bet on the outcome of matches, attempting to arrange the outcome of a match, accepting money with the intent to negatively impact a player’s efforts, and offering money with the intent to negatively influence the outcome of a match.

The Chilean took over as coach after ending his playing career in 2017, when he last played in Tunisia in doubles.

The news of Rivera’s lifetime ban comes a month after Italian tennis referee Lorenzo Chiurazzi was suspended for seven years and six months after he confessed to allegations of match-fixing in Italy. The latter’s offenses were committed at the 2021 Perugia tournament, during which he was found to have miscalculated at least one match by entering incorrect data into his scoring device.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) became the successor of the Tennis Integrity Unit (2008–2020). In addition to corruption, it is also involved in the prevention and investigation of doping in tennis. The ITIA has the authority to impose fines and sanctions and to prohibit players, referees and other tennis officials from participating in tournaments and competitions.

The ITIA was created at the initiative of the International Governing Body (IGB) of professional tennis, which includes the governing body of the ITF, ATP, WTA and four Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open).

The names of tennis players whose fixed matches were organized by Rivera have not yet been reported.