Romanian tennis player banned over anti-corruption breaches

Luncanu, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 304 in 2009, was found to have breached the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP) on multiple occasions.

These included contriving the outcome or any other aspect of several matches and directly or indirectly facilitating tennis wagering.

independent anti-corruption hearing officer (AHO) Raj Parker upheld five of seven charges brought by the ITIA. These charges were for match-fixing in 2017 and 2021. An additional charge of failing to co-operate fully with the ITIA’s investigation in 2022 was also upheld.

Luncanu denied all charges. However, the ruling means he cannot coach at or attend any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the governing bodies of tennis until 8 June 2028. He was also fined $40,000 (£31,208/€36,588).

TACP breaches

Specific breaches of the TACP included D.1.b., whereby no player “shall solicit or facilitate any other person to bet on the outcome or any other aspect of an event”. This includes showing live betting odds on their website, writing articles about tennis for a betting publication and appearing in gambling adverts.

The ITIA also flagged section D.1.d., which states no covered person “shall contrive or attempt to contrive the outcome or any other aspect of events”.

In addition, the investigation uncovered a breach of section F.2.b. This requires all individuals to cooperate fully with ITIA investigations, including giving evidence at hearings.