Stefan Milicevic, a Serbian tennis player, has received a staggering 24-year ban from the sport for his involvement in match fixing. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has also imposed a hefty fine of £52,808 (approximately $70,000) on him. This penalty stems from allegations that he fixed six matches and attempted to recruit other professionals into a corrupt scheme.
Details of the Offenses
Between 2022 and 2024, Milicevic not only fixed matches but also tried to manipulate at least six additional matches. Investigators found that his actions led several other players to engage in match fixing as well.
Milicevic, who achieved a career-high ranking of 1338 at the young age of 19 back in August 2014, is banned from participating in any tennis events. This includes tournaments organized by major bodies such as the ATP, WTA, Grand Slams, and national associations until October 8, 2050.
Lack of Cooperation with Investigation
The ITIA noted that Milicevic did not engage with their investigation, despite multiple attempts to contact him. Seven different outreach efforts were made, yet he failed to respond. On September 24, a notice regarding his major offenses was issued, but this went unanswered as well. His non-cooperation did not contribute to the length of his ban, but it highlighted the seriousness of his infractions.
The ITIA spokesperson clarified that the suspension reflected the severity of Milicevic's violations of tennis's anti-corruption protocols, especially given his attempts to recruit others.
Connections to Other Players
One of the players connected to Milicevic is Marino Jakic, who was his partner in an ITF World Tennis Tour event in Osijek, Croatia, in August 2023. Jakic has been provisionally suspended since June 24, 2023, as investigations continue into potential breaches of anti-corruption rules. Although he appealed his suspension, it was upheld due to substantial evidence in support of the allegations.
Impact of the Sanction
Because Milicevic failed to respond to the charges against him, his case did not proceed to an independent hearing. Consequently, he received what is known as a
