Brazilian tennis player Joao Souza has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Prof Richard McLaren, with effect from 17 April 2019.

The suspension relates to an investigation by the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) into alleged breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.

Mr Souza was originally provisionally suspended by AHO McLaren on 29 March 2019, but following a successful appeal he was reinstated on 8 April 2019.

Now, following consideration of additional evidence submitted by the TIU, a provisional suspension has been reimposed. No more appeals will be accepted and the suspension will remain in place until further direction is issued by AHO McLaren.

The effect of the provisional suspension is that Mr Souza is ineligible to compete in or attend any sanctioned event organised or recognised by the governing bodies of the sport.

The 30-year old is currently ranked 13 in ITF World Tennis Tour singles and 422 ATP singles.

The Tennis Integrity Unit is an initiative of the Grand Slam Board, the International Tennis Federation, the ATP and the WTA, who are jointly committed to a zero tolerance approach to corruption in tennis.

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Published 19 April 2019 14:00

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