Investigation underway into potential match-fixing at Wimbledon

Brendan Bradford

Investigation underway into potential match-fixing at Wimbledon image

An official investigation has been launched into two incidents of potential match-fixing at Wimbledon this year. 

According to a report by German newspaper Die Welt, a series of specific bets on two early matches triggered the alarm.

One match involves at least two suspicious bets placed on a first-round match featuring a German player.

According to Die Welt the German player isn't considered to be the player under investigation. 

The German publication reports that a five-figure sum was wagered at the end of the second set on the exact result of the match.

Another bet on the same match involved the number of service games in the entire match. 

The other match in question is a first-round men's doubles fixture. 

The betting favourite going into the match won the first set, meaning the odds on them losing the match rose even higher. 

The duo ended up losing the next two sets and the match.

Die Welt reports the timing of the bets placed on this match raised the suspicion of authorities. 

The International Tennis Integrity Agency, which investigates instances of potential match-fixing, didn't comment on the Wimbledon matches due to "operational reasons."

Match fixing and spot fixing have been a widespread issue in tennis for years. 

In 2016, the BBC reported that Italian and Russian betting syndicates may be involved in fixing tennis matches all over the globe.

In 2018, Argentina's Nicoal Kicker was banned for a minimum of three years after it was discovered he had participated in at least two fixed matches. 

 

Brendan Bradford