ITIA Press Release, May 27, 2021

Three Belgian tennis players Romain Barbosa, Arthur de Greef and Alec Witmeur who are the subject of an ongoing criminal and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) investigation, have today been provisionally suspended by AHO Professor Richard McLaren.

The three are prohibited from competing in or attending any sanctioned tennis events organised by the governing bodies of the sport, with immediate effect.

The provisional suspension was granted under section F.3 of the TACP 2021:

“The ITIA may at any time make an application to an AHO for a Provisional Suspension of a Covered Person, including (i) before a Notice of Major Offense has been issued, (ii) before a Hearing or (iii) at any time after a Hearing but prior to the AHO’s issuance of a written Decision. Provisional Suspensions (and challenges and reviews thereof under this Section F.3) shall ordinarily be determined on written submissions unless the AHO considers an oral hearing necessary.”

and

“An AHO shall immediately impose a Provisional Suspension if the AHO is satisfied that (i) a Covered Person is currently charged with a criminal offence, the subject of criminal proceedings, or subject to an extant criminal order or sentence, and (ii) such charge, proceedings, order or sentence relates to conduct by the Covered Person that would amount to a Major Offense”.