TIU Press Release, June 30, 2019

Nigerian tennis player Henry Atseye has been suspended for three years and fined $5,000 after admitting to match-fixing and non-reporting offences. One year of the ban and $2,500 of the fine are suspended on condition that no further breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) are committed.

When interviewed by the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), Mr Atseye admitted to contriving the outcome of a match he played at the ITF Futures F3 tournament in Abuja, Nigeria in May 2017. He also admitted failing to report a corrupt approach and knowledge of corrupt activity by a third party, to the TIU.

The case was adjudicated by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Prof. Richard McLaren, who on finding him guilty of the breaches of the TACP imposed the suspension and fine. The suspended elements of the ban and fine recognise the player’s admission of wrongdoing and co-operation with the TIU.

The suspension is backdated to begin from 10 May 2019, the date he was provisionally suspended by Prof. McLaren. The effect of this is that Mr Atseye is unable to compete in or attend any sanctioned event organised or recognised by the governing bodies of the sport.

Assuming no further breaches of the TACP are committed he will be eligible to resume playing professional tennis from 9 May 2021.

The 30-year old is currently ranked 1884 in ITF World Tennis singles.

The breaches of the TACP he admitted to committing are as follows:

Section D.1.d: No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, contrive or attempt to contrive the outcome or any other aspect of any Event.

Section D.2.a.1: In the event any Player is approached by any person who offers or provides any type of money, benefit or Consideration to a Player to (i) influence the outcome or any other aspect of any Event, or (ii) provide Inside Information, it shall be the Player’s obligation to report such incident to the TIU as soon as possible.

Section D.2.a.ii           In the event any Player knows or suspects that any other Covered Person or other individual has committed a Corruption Offense, it shall be the Player’s obligation to report such knowledge or suspicion to the TIU as soon as possible.