(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Bosnian tennis coach Robert Biletic has been issued a six-month suspension from tennis over violations of the anti-corruption program, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced. In 2021, Biletic served as tournament director at an ITF tournament.
At the time, Biletic allegedly reached out to a player and offered him a main draw wildcard into the tournament in exchange for money. According to the ITIA, the player declined the offer and immediately contacted the agency that serves to protect the integrity of the game.
In the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) rulebook, it’s highlighted that tournament directors are not allowed to be doing actions of such nature. Biletic was handed out a six-month suspension in March and he also received a $1,000 fine.
The ITIA’s statement on a Bosnian coach being suspended
“The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Bosnian tennis coach Robert Biletic has been issued a six-month suspension from the sport after accepting a charge under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).
Biletic served as tournament director at an ITF 25k event in 2021, and contacted a player to offer a wildcard into the event in exchange for payment, in contravention of section D.1.k of the 2021 TACP, which states: No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, offer, pay or accept any money, benefit or Consideration for the provision of a wildcard to an Event.
This offer was declined by the player and immediately reported to the ITIA, triggering an investigation. Biletic has been provisionally suspended since 15 March 2023. The case was ruled on by Independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Diana Tesic, who determined that a six-month suspension from the sport and a $1,000 fine was appropriate.
The sanction has been backdated to the start of Biletic’s provisional suspension, which means that they are prohibited from playing in or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the governing bodies of tennis between 15 March 2023 and 14 September 2023.
The ITIA is an independent body established by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide,” the ITIA said in a statement.
