ITIA bans tennis pair for life for match-fixing offences
Nastja Kolar and Alexandra Riley also slapped with fines for historical failings between 2015 and 2020
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has banned two female tennis players for life after being found guilty of match-fixing.
Nastja Kolar and Alexandra Riley have also been handed significant fines by the body for offences committed between 2015 and 2020.
Kolar, a 28-year-old Slovenian who broke into top 200 rankings for both singles and doubles, has been hit with a $175,000 penalty.
Kolar was found to have contrived aspects of six matches in which she played in, while helping US player Riley to contrive aspects in four of her matches.
The ITIA established that Kolar was due to be paid $2,000 for fixing a set and $3,000 for courtsiding at two tournaments.
The Slovenian’s $175,000 penalty is close to the maximum penalty of $250,000.
Riley, a 32-year-old American from Philadelphia who peaked at 691 in the singles rankings in 2015, was handed a $50,000 fine for her breaches.
The ITIA found the US player had contrived aspects of five matches she played in, with six instances of Riley wagering on matches she played in and evidence of courtsiding.
The pair also failed to report each other’s corrupt offences.
The ITIA noted both players failed to show “any contrition or remorse for their actions”.