Several Tennis Players Banned for Match-Fixing in Belgium
Players Sanctioned Following Investigation
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has announced the suspension of six current and former players in connection with a match-fixing network in Belgium.
On 31 January, ITIA imposed sanctions on Jerome Inzerillo, David Guez, Romain Bauvy, Yannick Jankovits, François-Arthur Vibert, and Agustin Moyano. All six have been officially banned from the sport after being found guilty of match-fixing.
According to ITIA, the players were linked to a network led by Grigor Sargsyan, who was sentenced to five years in prison in 2023. Investigations remain ongoing to identify further individuals involved.
French Players Admit Guilt
Five of the banned players admitted to match-fixing offences related to matches in 2017 and 2018. Three French players accepted the sanctions without requesting a hearing before an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO).
- Jerome Inzerillo, formerly ranked No. 354 in the world, has been suspended for five years and seven months, until May 2030, and fined $50,000, of which $35,000 is suspended.
- David Guez, who achieved a career-high ranking of No. 116 in 2010, has been banned for four years until October 2024 and fined $25,000, with $17,500 suspended.
- Romain Bauvy, once ranked No. 758 in doubles in 2016, received the same penalty as Guez, with a ban until November 2028.
Disputed Charges and Additional Sanctions
Three players contested the accusations but were still found guilty.
- Yannick Jankovits, previously ranked No. 226, has been suspended until October 2026 and fined $28,000, with $21,000 suspended.
- François-Arthur Vibert, who reached a career-high No. 591 in 2021, has been banned until September 2026 and fined $35,000, partially suspended.
- Agustin Moyano, the only Argentine player involved, denied the allegations and requested a full hearing. However, Judge Charles Hollander KC ruled for a 15-year ban and a $10,000 fine. Formerly ranked No. 1,343, Moyano will not be eligible to return to professional tennis until December 2039.
The six sanctioned players are now barred from competing in, coaching at, or attending any ITIA-authorised tennis events.
ITIA’s Continued Efforts Against Match-Fixing
Since Sargsyan’s sentencing, ITIA has continued its efforts to expose individuals connected to the match-fixing network. Previously, 16 players were banned, including several from Belgium. Arnaud Graisse, Arthur de Greef, Julien Dubail, Romain Barbosa, Maxime Authom, Omar Salman, and Alec Witmeur were all convicted in a Belgian court.
Other players sanctioned last year include Alejandro Mendoza Crespo and Jorge Panta Herreros, who received bans of 20 years and three years, respectively. Additionally, French player Leny Mitjanam was suspended for 10 years for corruption and match-fixing, while Tunisian player Anis Ghorbel was banned for three years for match-fixing offences in 2016 and 2017.