The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has extended the suspension of French tennis player Samuel Bensoussan to three years following a failed appeal. Originally banned for one year and 11 months for match-fixing, the 34-year-old saw his penalty increased after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) challenged the initial duration, according to documents cited by The Athletic.
The CAS Ruling and Appeal Process
Bensoussan, who reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 405 in 2018, was initially sanctioned for 18 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program. While he successfully appealed one charge, the CAS upheld the remaining 17 violations. The court rejected Bensoussan’s defense, which claimed he was implicated through false accusations made by fellow player Mick Lescure. Lescure, who was previously issued a lifetime ban for match-fixing in 2022, was a central figure in the proceedings.
The ITIA had pushed for a significantly harsher penalty, requesting a six-and-a-half-year ban to align with broader disciplinary precedents. While the CAS declined to extend the ban to that length, the three-year penalty ensures that Bensoussan remains ineligible for professional competition until May 2028.
Did you know?
The investigation into Bensoussan is linked to a massive Belgian match-fixing syndicate orchestrated by Grigor Sargsyan. According to ITIA documents, this syndicate is implicated in the manipulation of at least 375 tennis matches involving approximately 1,500 conspirators.
Broader Implications for Tennis Integrity
Recent enforcement actions, such as the permanent bans issued to former Fordham basketball players for betting-related game manipulation, underscore a growing trend in sports governance.
Future Trends in Anti-Corruption Enforcement
Future trends in this space likely include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Samuel Bensoussan’s ban increased?
The ITIA appealed the initial one-year and 11-month suspension, arguing that it was too lenient given the severity of his 17 proven breaches of the anti-corruption protocol. The CAS agreed to extend the ban to three years.
What is the link between Bensoussan and Grigor Sargsyan?
Bensoussan’s match-fixing activities were part of a larger, coordinated scheme run by Sargsyan in Belgium, which involved hundreds of matches and over a thousand individuals.
When can Bensoussan return to tennis?
His suspension is retroactive to May 2025, meaning he is barred from professional tennis participation until May 2028.
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