The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has taken decisive action against two tennis players involved in corruption associated with a syndicate in Belgium. Alejandro Mendoza Crespo has been handed the harshest penalty of life ineligibility for 20 violations, while Jorge Panta Herreros received a three-year ban for four violations.
In addition to the bans, Mendoza was fined $250,000, while Panta received a $10,000 fine. Both players are prohibited from participating in any tennis-related activities under the jurisdiction of the ITIA, including training sessions and events. These sanctions were imposed following a thorough investigation and adjudication process led by independent anti-corruption hearing expert, Professor Richard McLaren.
The ITIA's decision to disqualify Mendoza and Panta stems from their involvement in a recent criminal case in Belgium, where the leader of a match-fixing syndicate, Grigor Sargsyan, was sentenced to five years in prison.
