No mercy for corrupt SA player

SOUTH African tennis player Joshua Chetty has been banned from the sport for life after being found guilty of matchfixing charges.

The 21-year-old admitted to approaching another player with financial inducements of $2 000 (R27 771) to underperform in a singles match‚ and $600 (R8 334) in a doubles match‚ during the ITF Futures F1 event in Stellenbosch‚ South Africa‚ in November 2015.

The player approached by Chetty‚ whose identity will remain confidential in accordance with the provisions of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP)‚ rejected the corrupt offers and reported the matter to the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU).

The findings of a resultant TIU investigation were referred to independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer‚ Ian Mill QC‚ who considered the case and imposed the lifetime ban from all professional tennis.

Chetty is ranked 1 857 in singles‚ with a career-high of 1 370 in June 2015.

The breaches of the TACP for which he has been found guilty fall under Sections D.1.e and D.1.g‚ which read as follows:

“D.1.e. No Covered Person shall‚ directly or indirectly‚ solicit or facilitate any Player to not use his or her best efforts in any Event.

“D.1.g. No Covered Person shall‚ directly or indirectly‚ offer or provide any money‚ benefit or Consideration to any other Covered Person with the intention of negatively influencing a Player’s best efforts in any Event.”

The President of Tennis South Africa (TSA)‚ Gavin Crookes‚ said TSA supports this decision unreservedly.

“The maintenance of the integrity of our sport is paramount.

“All stakeholders need to know that the running of our sport is above reproach and that any transgression by any player‚ official or administrator will be dealt with harshly.”

Crookes said that he had advised eThekwini Tennis that Chetty would also not be allowed to participate in league fixtures. — TMG Sport