Bolivian Tennis Official Faces $15,000 Fine & 12-Year Suspension for Corruption Offenses

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has taken a tough stance against corruption in the sport, suspending and fining Bolivian tennis official Percy Flores for 12 years. Flores was suspended after being found guilty of various violations of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP) during a 12-month period, including score manipulation and betting-related infractions.

Percy Flores, a white badge umpire, was charged with 31 TACP violations between November 2021 and October 2022. Manipulation of scores for wagering reasons includes inserting erroneous data into the umpire’s portable gadget. The ITIA judged these actions a serious infringement of the sport’s integrity and fairness.

Flores elected not to contest the charges, therefore his ban was retroactive to December 8, 2022. However, due to the charges’ early acceptance and other mitigating circumstances, the ITIA lowered the suspension by three years. As a result, the 12-year prohibition will last until December 7, 2034. Flores is not permitted to officiate or attend any tennis events sanctioned by the sport’s governing bodies during this time.

Flores was found in violation of multiple parts of the TACP, according to the ITIA. These included encouraging tennis betting (D.1.b), altering scores or changing scoring data (D.1.m), and failing to disclose corruption schemes to the ITIA or appropriate tennis authorities (D.2.b.i and D.2.b.ii). The International Tennis Federation (ITIA) stressed the necessity of maintaining integrity and honesty in tennis at all levels.

Separately, the ITIA and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) collaborated to promote integrity education among young tennis players. Juniors International Player Identification Number (IPIN) holders must now pass an obligatory education module. This lesson covers important issues like values, integrity, the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program, and the Tennis Anti-Doping Program.

Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the ITIA, underlined the need of fostering integrity ideals in players early in their careers. The ITIA hopes to foster a culture of respect and accountability in the sport by educating young players about anti-doping, fair play, and integrity. The move is regarded as an important step toward preparing junior players for a successful and ethical trip along the ITF circuit and beyond.

The ITF’s CEO, Kelly Fairweather, underlined the organization’s commitment to comprehensive player development. The mandated education modules equip young players with the skills and information they need to navigate the professional tour with confidence and honesty. The comprehensive method addresses numerous facets of tournament admission, code of conduct, and integrity, preparing athletes for a successful and principled tennis career.