Match-fixing sanctions for three tennis stars

Three tennis players, Timur Khabibulin, Sanjar Fayziev and Igor Smilansky, have received sanctions and fines after breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.

Timur Khabibulin from Kazakhstan, who was found liable for 21 charges of match-fixing, was banned from the sport for life and received a $60,000 fine.

Sanjar Fayziev, from Uzbekistan, was found liable for five charges and has been banned for three years and six months with a six-month suspension, and given a $15,000 fine.

Igor Smilansky, from Israel, was found liable for three charges and was given a two year ban and a $4,000 fine (with $1,000 suspended).

The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed their sanctions and that the decision was made by independent anti-corruption hearing officer Janie Soublière.

The sanctions will begin from the date of the players’ provisional suspensions on 25 July 2023 which means Fayziev will be suspended until 24 July 2026 and Smilansky will be suspended until 24 July 2025 (subject to their fines being paid or repayment schemes agreed).

During such period for Fayziev and Smilansky, and permanently for Khabibulin, they are prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA: ATP, ITF, WTA, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open, or any national association.