Yannick Thivant, Thomas Brechemier, Gabriel Petit, Thomas Setodji and Hugo Daubias have all been banned or suspended from tennis. The ITIA on Friday said each player committed corruption offences during 2017 or 2018.
The organisation also confirmed each case is linked to the high-profile match-fixing syndicate led by Grigor Sargsyan. A criminal case led to the Sargsyan being convicted and given a five-year custodial sentence in 2023.
However, while the case against Sargsyan has ended, the ITIA continues to search for other individuals that were involved. This has led to a host of players being sanctioned, with this group the latest to face action.
ITIA issues lifetime ban to Thivant
Thivant, 38, has been hit heaviest. For his role in the scheme, he has been handed a lifetime ban by the ITIA. Anti-corruption hearing officer (AHO) Richard McLaren said Thivant’s actions “require the most serious sanctions be imposed”.
Thivant, who hit a career-high world singles ranking of 590 in September 2015, admitted to fixing 22 matches between 2017 and 2018. These include 16 of his own matches. As such, he will serve a lifetime ban and was also fined $75,000 (£58,146/€68,144), in addition to €37,400 in restitution.
Next, Thomas Setodji, aged 29, will be suspended for 10 years. He also been fined $20,000, plus €5,500 restitution, for his part in the match-fixing scheme,
According to the ITIA, Setodji was guilty of fixing three matches in 2017 and failing to report a corrupt approach in 2018. Setodji’s highest career singles ranking came in July 2024 when he reached 794. However, he is not eligible to play again until at least 31 March 2035.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Thomas Brechemier has been suspended for seven years and six months. This is effective from 12 February this year and runs through until 11 August 2032.
During the investigation, Brechemier admitting to fixing 11 matches between 2017 and 2018. Brechemier, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 399 in August 2017, was also fined $40,000, with $27,500 suspended.
Lengthy suspensions for other tennis players
As for the other two players sounded out by the ITIA, Petit, 29, has been suspended for six years and six months. This is in addition to being fined $45,000 for his actions, with AHO Charles Hollander saying the player did not respond to charges.
By failing to engage, the ITIA said Petit effectively waived his right to a hearing and accepted liability for fixing seven matches between 2017 and 2018. Petit, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 450 in December 2018, cannot play again until September 2031.
Finally, 28-year-old Daubias will serve a two-year suspension and pay a fine of $15,000. He admitted to fixing two matches in 2017 and as such will not be eligible to compete again until March 2027.
Daubias recorded his career-high world singles ranking of 972 in September 2017.
Initially, only 16 players were sanctioned for their part in the match-fixing case. However, as the ITIA uncovers additional evidence, more players continue to face action.
The latest round of sanctions saw the ITIA ban six players in February. Jerome Inzerillo, David Guez, Romain Bauvy, Yannick Jankovits, François-Arthur Vibert and Agustin Moyano were all forbidden from competing in the sport.
