The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has banned Moroccan tennis player Simohamed Hirs from the sport for life.
Following investigations into multiple incidents of match fixing, the independent body established by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis has taken the decision to impose the penalty on Hirs, who had a highest ATP singles ranking of 1798.
The case was ruled on by Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer, Amani Khalifa, with the sanctioning meaning that from 28 July 2021, Hirs is permanently prohibited from playing in or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the governing bodies of tennis.
In addition to the ban, the player has also been hit with a financial penalty, with a fine of $35,000 imposed by the ITIA.
Hirs was found guilty of three match fixing charges – including attempting to ‘contrive the outcome or any other aspect of an event’ and soliciting or facilitating any player not to use his or her ‘best efforts in any event’.
He was also charged with failing to report a corrupt approach, including any offers of ‘any type of money, benefit or consideration’.The aim of the ITIA, which launched a new website for tennis integrity stakeholders earlier in the year, is to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.
