Massive match-fixing crackdown! Three Chinese players arrested, involving millions in stakes

This season, numerous players have faced severe sanctions from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for manipulating matches. One player was even handed a lifetime ban and fined $115,000 for corruption during the tour. Crossing the line brings uncompromising consequences—and now, three more players are in serious trouble.

On December 19, RMC News reported a new wave of arrests in a large-scale match-fixing investigation that has been ongoing for two years. Investigators questioned three players who have now admitted to the allegations. This revelation adds significant weight to an ongoing probe involving seven individuals, including three French players accused of fixing matches for profit.

Just last week, another round of interrogations took place. Three players were detained by criminal investigators and confessed during questioning. They are currently awaiting formal charges expected in the coming weeks. This wide-ranging investigation has uncovered dozens of names, 45 suspicious matches, and massive betting activities across multiple tournaments.

The inquiry revealed nearly €700,000 wagered on six matches—three arrested French players stated approximately $821,000 was used to manipulate outcomes. These findings expose a dark side of the sport: players face a constant battle between integrity and temptation every week.

Investigators noted that bribe-givers do not target top stars; instead, they focus on lower-ranked players struggling without sponsors, coaches, or substantial income—making them prime targets for quick cash schemes.

Former French player Marine Partaud deeply understands this pressure. Once ranked 16th nationally in France, she shared a personal story that hits at the heart of the issue: “I remember once at a tournament in Romania, someone told me, ‘If you lose the first set, I’ll give you €1,000 cash behind the club after the match.’”

She was shocked to realize: “Unfortunately, €1,000 was exactly the prize money I would have earned for winning the entire tournament.”

“I understand why some players might give in to temptation because €1,000 is indeed a significant amount,” she admitted. However, she ultimately chose to refuse.

Match-fixing has long been a stain on tennis, leaving indelible marks on the sport. And this month, it’s not just these three players facing consequences.

On Friday, the tennis world was shaken—Chinese player Pang Renlong (phonetic) received a 12-year ban for fixing or attempting to fix 22 matches within just five months. The ITIA confirmed the ruling, revealing the 25-year-old’s extensive manipulation. He admitted guilt and waived his right to a hearing, closing the case without a published written decision.

Investigations found Pang manipulated five matches and attempted to fix 17 others, succeeding six times. His penalty includes an $110,000 fine, with $70,000 suspended. Between May and September 2024, he played 27 matches—26 on the world tennis tour and one ATP Challenger event—with nearly equal wins and losses. His highest world ranking was 1316 in November, just before his provisional suspension.

This Chinese player is not alone. A source familiar with the investigation revealed his case is linked to two other Chinese players, Li and Zhang, both banned long-term in November 2025 for accepting payments to fix matches: Li received a two-year and three-month ban, Zhang a two-year ban.

When Pang’s suspension was first announced, the anti-corruption spotlight also turned to two other players: France’s Jérémy Floid-Angel and Thailand’s Anapat Thimankul. Both are under investigation for potential violations. Floid-Angel’s case quickly intertwined with 26-year-old French player Quentin Folliot, described as a “key figure in a player network operating a match-fixing syndicate.” This French player’s downfall was severe—earlier this month, he was banned for 20 years following 27 confirmed violations and evidence of receiving match-fixing payments.

According to ITIA, text messages reveal Folliot persuaded other players to influence match results, highlighting how deeply such schemes have infiltrated the sport. The 25-year-old Floid-Angel was ultimately banned for five years and three months. As 2025 draws to a close, tennis once again stands at the frontline defending its integrity.

The question remains: will these ITIA actions effectively reduce such incidents in the 2026 season? What is your perspective?(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)