Tennis Integrity Unit Briefing Note July 2017

London, 19 July 2017

TIU strengthens Education and Intelligence teams with Perry and Patel appointments 

Matthew Perry and Anjni Patel have been recruited to add expertise and additional resource to the TIU’s Education and Intelligence functions. Perry joins the unit as Education and Training Manager, bringing with him experience gained from a background in teaching and elite sports anti-doping education. He will be responsible for managing and extending the scope and reach of anti-corruption training and education across the sport, which includes a mandatory online training module which has been completed by over 30,000 players, officials and administrators. Anjni Patel is a former officer with the Metropolitan Police in London who takes on the role of Intelligence Executive, supporting the work of the unit’s intelligence gathering and data analysis cell. 

Match Alert data April to June 2017: fewer alerts for period and year-to-date

During the second quarter of 2017, 53 match alerts were received by the TIU through Memorandums of Understanding held with betting regulators and gambling organisations. By comparison, 73 alerts were reported during the same period in 2016.

Consistent with previous reports, the majority of alerts (40 out of 53) were received for matches played on the lower level men’s ATP Challenger and ITF Futures circuits. Roland Garros (1) and Wimbledon (3: 2 in the qualifying event and 1 in the main draw) accounted for the four Grand Slam alerts. These will be assessed and reviewed in keeping with the TIU match alert policy below.

• During the April to June period, 31,281 professional matches were played, with the 53 alerts featuring on just 0.169% of those matches.
• The cumulative six month match alert figure for 2017 is now 83, substantially fewer than the 121 received for the same period in 2016.

TIU match alert policy

• every alert is assessed and followed up as an indicator that something inappropriate may have happened.  It is important to appreciate that an alert on its own is not evidence of match-fixing;
• there are many reasons other than corrupt activity that can explain unusual betting patterns, such as incorrect odds-setting; well-informed betting; player fitness, fatigue and form; playing conditions and personal circumstances;
• where analysis of a match alert does suggest corrupt activity, the TIU will conduct a full, confidential investigation

Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer panel expanded

Charles Hollander QC has been appointed to join the expert panel of Independent Anti-Corruption Hearing officers who preside over TIU disciplinary cases. Mr Hollander is a highly respected litigator with nearly 40 years’ experience of cases covering a wide range of sports. He was Called to the Bar in England and Wales in 1978 and became a full member of the Hong Kong Bar in 2015. He practises from Brick Court Chambers in London and Temple Chambers, Hong Kong.

Independent Review Panel

The Independent Review Panel set up to review all aspects of the sport’s anti-corruption protocols, structures and resources, is currently working towards completion of its Interim Report. The publication date for the Report will be confirmed on www.tennisirp.com

Next issue

The next issue of the TIU Briefing Note will be published in early October 2017.  To be added to the circulation, contact Mark Harrison at mark.harrison@tennisintegritytunit.com.