Former French tennis player Samuel Bensoussan faces an extended suspension due to match fixing violations. Initially banned for one year and 11 months, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has raised his penalty to three years.
Bensoussan was implicated in a match-fixing syndicate organized in Belgium by Grigor Sargsyan. This operation allegedly manipulated a minimum of 375 matches with 1,500 conspirators, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
The Frenchman’s suspension began in May 2025. He appealed to the CAS, disputing accusations and blaming former tennis player Mick Lescure. Lescure, banned for life in 2022 for match fixing, reportedly made false claims against Bensoussan.
Bensoussan, ranked 405 at his peak in 2018, has transitioned into coaching. The ITIA also appealed, arguing for a harsher penalty, suggesting six and a half years. However, the CAS extended the suspension to three years, not the length sought by the ITIA.
This decision underscores the seriousness with which authorities view match fixing in sports, emphasizing integrity in competition.
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