The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) has issued a $20,000 fine and a lifetime ban, to Ukrainian tennis player Helen Ploskina after she was found guilty of match-fixing and related offences by an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer.
A TIU investigation established that in October 2016, the 22-year old, currently ranked 821 in ITF World Tennis singles, introduced another player to a corruptor, who offered that individual payment in return for agreeing to fix the outcome of matches. The offences took place in October 2016.
In addition, Ploskina, who reached a career high ranking of 698 WTA, was found guilty of two further offences of failing to report knowledge of corrupt activity and failing to cooperate with a TIU investigation.
The decision followed the news that Russian tennis official Svetlana Teryaeva was found guilty of failing to report a corrupt approach, and knowledge of corrupt activity, to the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU).
The offences relate to an approach she received in July 2017 from a third party who offered the promise of payment in return for her agreement to manipulate scores inputted on her PDA device. This would allow gamblers to bet with certainty, and profit, on scores during matches she officiated in.
Although Ms Teryaeva refused to co-operate with the corruptor, she also failed to disclose the approach to the TIU.
Having considered the case, an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) found that two breaches of the TACP had been committed. A decision on an appropriate sanction will be made and announced at a future date.
