Samuel Bensoussan's Match-Fixing Ban Extended to Three Years

Samuel Bensoussan, a French tennis player, has had his suspension for match-fixing increased to three years, as confirmed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). This decision follows an unsuccessful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Initially, Bensoussan was handed a ban of one year and 11 months in June after an independent anti-corruption hearing determined that the 34-year-old had been involved in fixing four matches. Additionally, he was fined $12,000 (£8,880) and was linked to a criminal investigation concerning a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium.

The CAS upheld all charges against Bensoussan and ruled that his sanction should be extended in line with similar cases. As a result, he will not be eligible to compete until May 2028. Bensoussan's punishment is part of a broader investigation that has revealed a criminal organization implicated in the corruption of at least 181 players and the manipulation of 375 tennis matches globally.

Bensoussan reached a career-high ranking of 405 in June 2018 but has not participated in professional tennis since 2019. Under the terms of his suspension, he is barred from playing, coaching, or attending any events organized by World Tennis, the WTA, the ATP, or Grand Slams.