There has never been more manipulation and betting fraud in sport: this is the conclusion reached by the Swiss analysts at Sportradar (we reported). However, such incidents are still unusual. Especially in Europe and in mainstream sports, where broad and effective monitoring methods are commonly used.
However, Europe and world sports cannot completely free themselves when it comes to unfair practices involving result manipulation or other fraud. This was recently shown by the “Aaron Cortes” case. The Spaniard is accused of violating applicable corruption laws in 35 cases. As international reporting suggests, influencing the outcome of events, accepting money to influence the outcome of events, and failing to report corrupt practices are among the main violations. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) also revealed that Cortes bet on tennis and provided tournament officials with money in exchange for a wildcard.
These punishments were imposed on Cortes
How Aaron Cortes was discovered has neither been officially announced by the ITIA nor read in the press (possibly for future investigative reasons). Only the sentence was made public. The punishment is likely to cost the now 29-year-old his career.
According to ITIA, he is said to have fully cooperated in the investigations against him. He accepted the agreed sanctions and waived the right to appeal before an independent anti-corruption hearing officer.
- As a result, Cortes will be banned from practicing law from March 2024 until March 26, 2039. During the suspension, Cortes will not be allowed to play, train or participate in events sanctioned or organized by ITIA members or national associations.
- He was also ordered to pay a $75,000 fine, with $56,250 suspended.
More corruption cases in Europe
In fact, the ITIA has imposed a whole series of sanctions in recent weeks. This wave is intended to be part of a strengthened initiative against corruption in tennis: This is what the media says. Not only players are affected, but also those responsible.
- In April, Italian official Manuel Guion was banned for five years and six months for TACP violations. The exclusion applies until August 4, 2029.
- In March, Croatian official Marko Stojanovic was also banned from the sport for five years and six months. This came after the ITIA found several violations of the TACP: including the manipulation of game data to facilitate betting.
- Furthermore, Italian player Andrea Rita was banned for 15 months for violating betting rules.
- The Frenchman Maxence Broville was also banned after failing to cooperate in an anti-corruption investigation – punishment: seven years’ exclusion.
Conclusion
The many cases of corruption in European tennis are worrying. One can definitely assume that there is a high number of unreported cases here. It is quite possible that more crimes will be uncovered in the coming months as a result of increased attention. However, Aaron Cortes’ harsh sentence is likely to remain outstanding. A ban of 15 years doesn’t happen every day. The ITIA works as an organization dedicated to maintaining the integrity of professional tennis worldwide with the most important governing bodies: including the ITF, ATP, WTA and the four Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open). This means that Cortes will not be allowed to play in any relevant event until he is 44, which will inevitably be the end of his career.
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