Aussie player hit with ban

AUSTRALIA’S Nick Lindahl was yesterday banned for seven years and fined US$35,000 (RM156,000) for corruption with two others also sanctioned as tennis authorities step up their fight against matchfixing ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.

Lindahl, who reached a career-high ranking of 187, was found guilty of contriving or attempting to contrive the outcome of an event and failing to cooperate with a Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) investigation.

The case related to his offer to throw a match at a Futures tournament in Australia in 2013 and a refusal to provide his mobile phone for forensic investigations on the TIU’s request.

“Although Mr. Lindahl, 28, retired from the sport in 2013, today’s decision prevents him from resuming playing professional tennis for the seven years of the ban,” the TIU said in a statement.

“He is also prohibited from attending any tournament or event organised or sanctioned by the governing bodies of the sport for that period.”

Two other players, Brandon Walkin and Isaac Frost, were also disciplined after being found guilty of corruption at the same tournament.

Reacting to the news, world No. 1 Andy Murray urged severe punishments for anyone found cheating.

“If it’s happening, there should be the most severe punishments for whoever is involved in it,” Murray said, in views backed by his rival Novak Djokovic.

Last month, Spanish police arrested 34 people, including low-ranking players, from a network that fixed matches in Spain and Portugal.– AFP