ITF Serves Notice on Match Fixing -- Federation Focus

(ATR) The International Tennis Federation and the Tennis Integrity Supervisory Board announce a major investment project to combat match fixing and corruption in the sport.

The key part of a comprehensive integrity infrastructure for the ITF World Tennis Tour (WTT) is a ban on live data and scoring at all WTT $15,000 events.

Without live scoring data, in-play gambling becomes more difficult at lower level tournaments where the small purses make match-fixing a stronger temptation.

The ITF says the supply of live scoring data for WTT $15k matches has been progressively reduced since December 2018 and further reductions will continue through 2021, leading to a complete discontinuance of the practice when all measures are in place.

Removal of live data was a key recommendation of the Independent Review Panel’s Final Report for implementation by tennis’ governing bodies to enhance the protection of integrity across professional tennis.

Other integrity-related projects that are part of the $8 million investment plan include the introduction of accreditation and access control systems for WTT events, appointment of on-site integrity protection personnel, and enhanced channels for the reporting of integrity concerns by players and officials.

"The enhanced security and accreditation processes planned by the ITF are essential to ensure that the playing environment is properly protected and the opportunities for unofficial data collection are minimized," said Jennie Price, the independent Chair of the Tennis Integrity Supervisory Board.

"This is a program that looks holistically at all aspects of integrity across the full World Tennis Tour calendar,"said ITF President David Haggerty.

"We have also collaborated with the leading organizations representing the regulated betting industry to ensure the recommendations are implemented with support from all stakeholders."

World Rugby, Players Meet in Cape Town

The sixth meeting of the Rugby Athletes’ Commission concludes with agreement on a set of actions addressing players’ issues.

The commission, a partnership between World Rugby and International Rugby Players (IRP), is chaired by Rugby Committee Chair John Jeffrey.

The meeting in Cape Town this week included former men’s and women’s players who represent IRP and members of World Rugby’s executive, including chief executive Brett Gosper.

The panel agreed to continued collaboration on sevens tournament formats, including establishment of a multi-stakeholder working group.

Player welfare was also a key topic, with the commission signing off on supporting initiatives including concussion education and making a commitment to develop and support player development and mental health support.

Other actions included further collaboration regarding the women’s game including competition structures and commercial growth, the promotion of minimum standards relating to player contracts and encouraging unions to develop organized player bodies where they do not exist.

Finally, the players and federation agreed to discuss key principles around future global calendar planning.

Semifinals Set in Kuwait

The FINA World Men’s Junior Water Polo Championships in Kuwait are at the semifinal stage.

Serbia will play Italy and Croatia takes on Greece on Thursday with the winners playing for the title on Friday.

Serbia edged Montenegro 10-9 and Croatia squeezed by Spain 7-6 on Wednesday to book their places in the final four.

Defending champions Greece had an even tougher match in reaching the semifinals, defeating the United States 4-1 in a shootout after leveling the game 11-11 with only a half second left on the clock.

European champions Italy, by contrast, cruised past Japan 17-5.

The tournament began on Dec. 12. The matches are available to watch live on FINAtv.

Written by Gerard Farek

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