Three Nigerian Tennis Players Suspended for Match-Fixing by ITIA

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has announced suspensions for three Nigerian players involved in match-fixing linked to a Belgian syndicate:

• Players and Penalties:

  • Henry Atseye: Career-high ranking #1518 (2015), admitted to six breaches between 2017-2018, colluded with banned player Karim Hossam. Suspended for 2.5 years until April 13, 2027, and fined $10,000.

  • Sylvester Emmanuel and Christian Paul: Both suspended for 3 years until November 5, 2027, fined $10,000 each. Unlike Atseye, they did not cooperate with the investigation.

• Restrictions:
  All three are barred from attending or participating in events organized by ITIA and its affiliated bodies (WTA, ATP, ITF, etc.).

• Context:
  Tennis remains vulnerable to match-fixing, with ITIA reporting 19 suspicious match alerts in Q2 alone. The sport’s toughest penalty recently was a lifetime ban and $250,000 fine issued to Alberto Rojas Maldonado in 2023.