Serbian tennis player handed 24-year ban for match-fixing

A Serbian tennis player has been handed a massive 24-year ban for match-fixing.

Stefan Milicevic led a "corrupt network" of match-fixing between 2022 and 2024, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), with the 29-year-old shown to have fixed six matches - five of which he played in - and attempted to with six more.

Milicevic, whose highest ATP ranking was 1338, did not engage or co-operate with the investigation, according to the ITIA, and was also fined 70,000 US dollars (£52,800).

The ITIA's statement on Thursday said: "Milicevic was also charged with recruiting or attempting to recruit multiple professional players as part of a corrupt network during the same period, resulting in a number of other players fixing matches."

Milicevic's suspension will officially come to an end on October 8, 2050, by which time he would be 53 years old.

The ITIA added: "While suspended, Milicevic is not allowed to play in, coach at, or attend any events organised or sanctioned by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national association."

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