ITIA bans two French tennis players for life over match-fixing
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has issued life bans to French tennis players Jules Okala and Mick Lescure following investigations into multiple incidents of match-fixing dating back to 2014.
Okala, whose highest ATP ranking was 338, was found guilty of seven match fixing charges, while Lescure, who had an ATP ranking high of 487, was found guilty of eight charges.
The ITIA also said the players have both been part of wider law enforcement investigations in France and Belgium.
The sanctions mean both players are permanently prohibited from playing in or attending any tennis event sanctioned by the governing bodies of tennis. Okala was also issued with a $15,000 (£12,220/€14,214) fine and Lescure was fined $40,000.
In the case of Okala, the player was found guilty of several breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP), including three counts of section D.2.a.i of the 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 TACPs. These sections related to the requirement for a playe..
