Follow Us on Google
CHINESE tennis player Pang Renlong has been banned for 12 years after admitting to match-fixing.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) determined Pang, 25, to have fixed, or attempted to fix, 22 matches between May and September last year.
In addition to his ban, Pang has been hit with a $110,000 (£82k) fine – of which $70,000 (£52,000) is suspended.
Pang played at the ITF level, the lowest rung of the sport.
Although in August 2024 he did enter qualifying for an ATP Challenger Tour event in Jinan, China – in which he lost 6-1 6-2 to then-world No712 Mo Ye Cong.
Pang, who peaked at No1316 in the ATP rankings, waived his right to a hearing – instead accepting the charges against him.
Explaining his offences, the ITIA wrote that he “admitted” to fixing five of his own matches. They then added that he also made 17 “corrupt approaches” to fellow pros – and that these approaches led to six more matches being fixed.
Pang had been provisionally suspended since November 7, 2024.
This time does count towards his overall suspension, meaning that his ban will be lifted on November 6, 2036 – provided that he has finished paying his fines.
By this point, Pang will be 37-years-old.
In addition to playing, the ban also prevents Pang from coaching at or even attending any event under the ATP, WTA or ITF umbrella – in addition to the four Grand Slams.
Just last week, French player Quentin Folliot received a 20-year ban after being found guilty of match-fixing.
The ITIA found the 26-year-old to have committed 27 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.
Like Pang, Folliot’s ban will prevent him from “playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Federation Francaise de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association.”
Folliot was also fined $70,000 (£52k), while being ordered to pay back corrupt payments worth more than $44,000 (£33k).
