The tennis world is set to be rocked on Wednesday when the Independent Review Panel (IRP) releases their long-awaited report into corruption in tennis.
It is understood that the findings consist of 2000 pages and has cost roughly £15 million, according to The Daily Mail. The report was triggered back in 2016 following claims of widespread match-fixing in tennis. A joint report by the BBC and Buzzfeed News alleged that there has been widespread corruption in the sport. An allegation disputed by both players and the governing bodies.
The main concern is the lower level tournaments where prize money is low and the temptation to throw matches are far greater. Between January-March the Tennis Integrity Unit received 38 alerts concerning suspicious matches. More than the same period in 2017 (30) but less than 2016 (48).
Last month the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced a new partnership with Sportradar. A company that collects and analyses data gathered from different sports. Under the new agreement, the ITF will use Sportradar’s Fraud Detection system.
“We are pleased to be further developing our relationship with Sportradar in order to enhance our integrity protection measures. Combating match-fixing and other forms of corruption in tennis is crucial in ensuring the long-term health of the game. These new developments build on our long-term partnership with Sportradar to develop and provide ITF Pro Circuit data and content for fans worldwide. Sportradar brings added expertise and capabilities to existing anti-corruption measures, and shares our commitment and passion for protecting the integrity of the game.” Said ITF president David Haggerty.
The partnership with Sportradar has been seen by some as a pre-emptive strike by the ITF. The governing bodies of tennis have already agreed to follow the recommendations set out by the panel.
When will the report go live?
On Monday the Tennis Integrity Unit confirmed in a statement that a press conference in London will take place at 13:00 GMT on Wednesday. It is at that same time when the report will be published online. Although some of the stakeholders involves would have already viewed it before hand. It is has written with guidance from Northridge Law LLP. A legal firm that has also represented the English Football Association (FA) and the IAAF.
“Pursuant to its Terms of Reference, the Panel, made up of Adam Lewis QC, Beth Wilkinson and Marc Henzelin, has conducted an Independent Review of Integrity in Tennis, addressing the nature and extent of the problem over time; the appropriateness and effectiveness of the sport’s historical and present approach to addressing it; and potential changes to improve how the sport tackles it in the future.” A press release outlined on Monday.
It has been confirmed to Ubitennis that the press conference will also be streamed live online at – http://www.tennisirp.com/
