ITIA Imposes Heavy Sanctions on Tennis Athlete and Official for Breaches

A French tennis player and a Bulgarian official have been subjected to severe penalties by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which have imposed significant sanctions for repeated transgressions.

French Athlete Leny Mitjana Faces a Decade Ban

After 11 infractions of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP), French tennis pro Leny Mitjana now faces a $20,000 fine and a ten-year ban from the game. Even though Mitjana denied any involvement in match-fixing, Philippe Cavalieros, an independent anti-corruption hearing officer, found that he had violated many TACP rules.

Mitjana is charged with inciting other players to perform poorly, arranging wagering, tampering with match results, and failing to disclose unethical behavior. From December 22, 2023, until December 21, 2033, Mitjana is suspended from all ITIA and national association-sanctioned tennis events. She is also not allowed to teach or participate in any tennis events.

Bulgarian Official Stefan Milanov Receives 16-Year Suspension

The ITIA has punished Bulgarian tennis official Stefan Milanov for an astounding sixteen years in a different instance. Milanov was found guilty of 17 TACP breaches by Amani Khalifa, an impartial hearing officer for anti-corruption cases.

Milanov was charged with conspiring to commit corruption violations, facilitating wagering, manipulating scoring data, and refusing to assist the ITIA in their investigation. Milanov officiated five matches in 2021. It was assumed that Milanov had admitted responsibility by not responding to the accusations.

Milanov is prohibited from officiating or attending any tennis tournament sanctioned by the ITIA or national organizations for the period of his ban, which runs from December 28, 2023, to December 27, 2039. He also has to pay a $75,000 punishment for violating TACP.

The ITIA’s measures against Milanov and Mitjana demonstrate how dedicated the organization is to preserving tennis’s integrity. The severe penalties and punishments make it abundantly evident what happens when anti-corruption rules are broken in the sports industry.