ITIA Bans Three Tennis Players for Match-fixing

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed that three tennis players, Timur Khabibulin, Sanjar Fayziev and Igor Smilansky, have been sanctioned and fined following breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).

The decision was made by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Janie Soublière, who had previously upheld the ITIA charges against the three players for related match-fixing activity whilst sanctions were considered. The confirmed sanctions are:

• Timur Khabibulin from Kazakhstan has been banned from the sport for life and fined $60,000
• Sanjar Fayziev from Uzbekistan has been banned for three years and six months (with six months suspended) and fined $15,000
• Igor Smilansky from Israel has been banned for two years with a $4000 fine (with $1000 suspended).

Khabibulin, who had a highest ATP doubles ranking of 154, was found liable for 21 individual charges relating to match-fixing between 2014 and 2019. Fayziev, who also had a highest ATP doubles ranking of 154, was found liable for five charges relating to two matches in 2018. Smilansky, who had a highest ATP singles ranking of 451, was found liable for three charges relating to one match in 2018.

The sanctions will begin from the date of the players’ provisional suspensions on 25 July 2023 which means Fayziev will be suspended until 24 July 2026 and Smilansky will be suspended until 24 July 2025 (subject to their fines being paid or repayment schemes agreed).

During such period for Fayziev and Smilansky, and permanently for Khabibulin, they are prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA: ATP, ITF, WTA, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open, or any national association.