Taken from the beeb today...

Duo banned and fined for betting


Doubles specialists Frantisek Cermak and Michal Mertinak have been suspended and fined by men's governing body the ATP for betting on tennis matches.

Neither player had bet on their own matches, and the investigation found no evidence of any intent to affect the outcome of matches wagered upon.

Czech player Cermak, who does not have a singles ranking (34th in doubles), was banned for 10 weeks from Monday and fined £9,450.

Slovakia's world number 616 Mertinak got a two-week ban and a £1,900 fine.

"The ATP's tennis anti-corruption program is clear that gambling on any form of tennis match will not be tolerated," said Gayle David Bradshaw, ATP executive vice president.

"The programme was introduced to ensure the integrity of our sport, and all connected to the tour have a duty and responsibility to ensure that integrity is upheld."

Five Italians - Alessio di Mauro, Potito Starace, Daniele Bracciali, Giorgio Galimberti and Federico Luzzi - have already been banned by the ATP for gambling on tennis matches.

The governing body has stepped up its fight against corruption.

At Wimbledon last month the board approved new match-fixing sanctions which require players to report any suspicious contact from gambling syndicates within 48 hours of being approached.

Players could face life bans if found guilty of match fixing, while players, and their families and entourages, are banned from betting on any form of tennis.

Wow they are realyl laying it down arent; they? :o Good to be anti corruption but you know what - I dont; think this prevents that. I doubt players who are havign the odd bet are cirrupt, I doubt those Italian guys are either, and I think the real problem is beign ignored here. :rolleyes:

Btw I wondered where Daniele Bracciali had gone. I liek him.

Yep, small fines in the grand scheme of things but I guess the authorities have to show that they mean business.