Croatian Tennis Official Suspended for Feeding False Data to Bookmakers

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has handed down a suspension to Croatian tennis official Marko Stojanovic for tampering with score data to sway betting results. Stojanovic’s actions involved altering the electronic scorekeeping on a tablet.

The ITIA has ruled Stojanovic out of the game for 5 years and 6 months, effective from February 19, 2024. In addition to the lengthy ban, the Croatian umpire faces a financial penalty — a hefty fine of $25,000.

For reference: in the world of professional tennis, umpires use a specialized electronic tablet to record match scores in real-time. These scores are then swiftly relayed to bookies via betting odds providers, a critical link in the sports betting chain.

Stojanovic’s actions betrayed the trust placed in officials, as he fed false match data into the system. His deception led to bookmakers issuing payouts for events that never transpired on the court, impacting betting markets and outcomes.

With the scandal uncovered, Stojanovic now faces a period of enforced absence. He is barred from officiating or even attending any tennis events under the jurisdiction of the sport’s governing bodies throughout his disqualification.