There have been a number of arrests made in Spain today as thirty four individuals, including six players, were arrested on grounds of match-fixing.
The arrests, made to break up a match-fixing ring, involved activities in both Spain and Portugal. Spain’s interior minister acknowledged the arrests of six players, but did not identify any of them.
The arrested are accused to be responsible for a number of suspicious results and betting activities involving the results of matches in at least 17 tennis events. Spanish authorities estimate that more than £420,000 was made in these events.
Betting and match-fixing scandals have become more widespread in tennis in the last decade, with the likes of former highly ranked players including Daniel Kollerer, Daniele Bracciali, and Potito Starace all given lifetime bans after they were found guilty of match-fixing offences.
A BBC and Buzzfeed investigation published in January alleged that there were as many as 16 players that are or have been ranked inside the Top 50 at some point in their careers have been involved in matches flagged for suspicious patterns. None of the players were charged however, and were allowed to continue competing.
