Samuel Bensoussan Receives Longer Match-Fixing Ban

French tennis player Samuel Bensoussan has received an increased ban from the sport after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reviewed his match-fixing case.

The tennis match-fixing ban was extended to three years on appeal, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). Bensoussan had previously received a one-year and 11-month suspension for fixing singles and doubles matches in lower-level competitions linked to an organised crime group based in Belgium.

The 34-year-old former player, whose ATP singles ranking reached a career-high No. 405 in June 2018, appealed against the original punishment. The ITIA also challenged the decision and requested a longer suspension of six and a half years.

After reviewing the case, the Court of Arbitration for Sport increased Bensoussan’s punishment to three years. However, the three-member panel rejected the request for him to repay 1,000 euros ($1,150), which tennis investigators claimed he received for fixing one of the matches in 2018.

The ITIA released the CAS ruling, which stated, “investigations uncovered a criminal organization that corrupted at least 181 players worldwide and involved the manipulation of at least 375 tennis matches.”

The investigation was connected to a criminal case in Belgium, where the leader of the syndicate received a five-year prison sentence.

The extended tennis match-fixing ban highlights continued efforts by sporting authorities to protect the integrity of professional tennis and prevent corruption in competitions. The ITIA has maintained strict action against players involved in attempts to manipulate match outcomes.

Bensoussan’s case adds to a wider global focus on sports integrity, with governing bodies continuing to investigate suspicious betting patterns and illegal influence within tennis.

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