In September 2008 the leading organisations in tennis (ATP, WTA, Grand Slam Board, ITF) came together to streamline and strengthen corruption investigations, becoming one of the first major sports to establish its own dedicated anti-corruption unit. The mandate of the Tennis Investigation Unit (TIU) was established to enforce the sport’s zero-tolerance policy towards gambling-related corruption worldwide.
Recent allegations published by the BBC and Buzzfeed accuse officials working for the TIU of failing to thoroughly investigate match fixing in the sport involving 16 players who have ranked in the top 50 over the past decade.
As a result of the allegations, an independent review into anti-corruption procedures conducted by the TIU in tennis has now been launched by the WTA, the ATP the ITF and the Grand Slam Board. The review will be funded by the Tennis Integrity Board (TIB), which oversees the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU).
The report will assess the sport’s transparency, evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program, determine whether or not additional funding is required to combat any corruption that may be present, consider the role of gambling companies in sponsoring major tournaments (and the high number of outcomes it is possible to bet on in tennis) and make recommendations for change.
The panel will be led by British barrister Adam Lewis, and supported by two additional members, whom he will appoint “to reflect the global nature of the sport”. Lewis has previous experience in EU law as well as sports law and has served on tribunals involving the Football Association, UEFA, the RFU, UK Athletics and the London 2012 Olympics.
The governing bodies claimed they expected the independent review to address how the TIU could be more transparent, receive additional resourcing and potentially implement governance changes that enhance its independence.
Chris Kermode, the head of the men’s Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), said “I think this is a very bold step…we need to address the perception, public confidence, hit it head on. We don’t have anything to hide at all”. Speaking of the commitment of tennis to tackle the issues and the scope of the report, Kermode said “Let me just say that it is unprecedented that the seven stakeholders of tennis have come together so quickly with one purpose, and that is with the sole aim to restore public confidence in our sport…..Adam Lewis QC and the review panel can look at anything, they can talk to anyone, investigate anything, and the four important points are there is no deadline to this review, it will take as long as is needed.”
The allegations against the TIU represent the latest crisis in a series of scandals that have rocked some of world’s most popular sports. The need for rights holders to govern their sports and events professionally and ethically, evidencing good governance, integrity, fairness, transparency and robust leadership in all activities has never been stronger. The Sports Consultancy works with our clients to implement structures and processes which address the current issues many organisations are facing, driving positive change in the industry.
