The Tennis Integrity Unit has issued a 3-month suspended sentence to Colombian tennis player Robert Farah for breaking anti-corruption rules.
Farah, who is currently ranked 16th in the doubles, have been found guilty of ‘promoting a gambling website on social media.’ The incident involves one specific tweet in which he endorsed an online betting company. The TIU has concluded that this single tweet was in violation of Section D.1.b of the TACP, which states that:
“No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or facilitate any other person to wager on the outcome or any other aspect of any Event or any other tennis competition. For the avoidance of doubt, to solicit or facilitate to wager shall include… appearing in commercials encouraging others to bet on tennis.”
Throughout the investigation Farah has fully co-operated with the relevant authorities and deleted the tweet once he was notified about the violation. During an independent hearing, the anti-corruption officer, Ian Mill QC, accepted that it was a ‘genuine mistake’ made by the Colombian player and he wouldn’t do it again.
“When contacted by the Tennis Integrity Unit, Farah removed the post, apologised for his error and co-operated fully with the investigation,” said a TIU statement.
Under the three-month sentence, Farah is allowed to continue playing. Although he will be immediately suspended if he commits another violation. He has also been issued with a $5000 fine.
In the wake of the suspension, the TIU has come under fire for the reasoning for the penalty issued to Farah. On social media, many were quick to point out that tournaments continue to advertise betting companies. Something that is forbidden for players.
Robert Farah with a 3 months suspension for promoting a betting website on his twitter. I remember seeing that.
The TIU can suspend the ITF as well then. pic.twitter.com/GzXNJD7Nek
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 13, 2018
Robert Farah gets suspended for "promoting a betting website."
I believe that also means the ATP German Open in Hamburg, that was supposed to start on July 21, is canceled. Because, surely, the tennis authorities would never tolerate this: pic.twitter.com/OKpUPCRBF5
— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) July 13, 2018
The ITF and several tournaments have been given a three-month suspended sentence for promoting betting websites in the recent past …
No they haven’t. But doubles player Robert Farah has.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) July 13, 2018
Earlier this year Farah reach the final of the men’s doubles tournament at the Australian Open alongside compatriot Juan Sebastián Cabal. Then at The Italian Open the duo became the first Colombians in history to win a Masters 1000 title.
At this year’s Wimbledon championships, Farah reached the third round in the men’s doubles and the second round in the mixed.
There has been no statement from Farah concerning his punishment.
