Three Nigerian tennis players have been penalized by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for breaching the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). The penalties, linked to a larger criminal investigation, include lengthy suspensions and financial fines.
Penalties Linked to Criminal Case
The penalties stem from a broader investigation into a match-fixing syndicate dismantled in 2023. The operation, led by Grigor Sargsyan, resulted in a five-year prison sentence for Sargsyan following cooperation between the ITIA and Belgian authorities. These violations were reviewed by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Amani Khalifa.
Henry Atseye’s Violations and Penalty
Henry Atseye, a 35-year-old player, admitted to his involvement in six instances of corruption between 2017 and 2018. He was found to have worked alongside Karim Hossam, a former player banned for life, to influence match outcomes and support illegal wagering activities. Atseye’s punishment includes a two-and-a-half-year suspension, effective from 14 October 2024 to 13 April 2027, along with a $10,000 fine.
Sanctions for Emmanuel and Paul
The other two players, Sylvester Emmanuel (26) and Christian Paul (29), were charged with six violations each, including accepting bribes, facilitating illegal bets, and failing to report corrupt approaches during the same period. Both players did not contest the charges, which resulted in automatic accountability under TACP rules.Their penalties consist of three-year bans, beginning on 6 November 2024 and ending on 5 November 2027, along with $10,000 fines each.All three players are prohibited from involvement in any capacity with events held under the jurisdiction of national tennis associations or ITIA member organizations throughout their suspension period.
