Romanian tennis player banned five years, fined US$40k over match-fixing

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has announced that Petru-Alexandru Luncanu has been suspended for five years and fined US$40 000 over match-fixing offences.

Luncanu (34) was found guilty of match-fixing multiple matches in 2017 and 2021.

When Luncanu was confronted by the ITIA, the Romanian denied any wrongdoing but also refused to co-operate with the investigation.

Also, Luncanu deleted all data from his phone when he was asked to provide it for the investigation.
Luncanu, who last competed in a Futures event last July, reached a career-high ranking of No 304 in in 2009.

The ITIA’s statement on Luncanu

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has today confirmed that Petru-Alexandru Luncanu, a 34-year-old tennis player from Romania, has been suspended from the sport for five years after multiple breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP).

“The case was considered by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Raj Parker, who upheld five of seven charges brought by the ITIA for match-fixing activity in 2017 and 2021, as well as an additional charge of failing to co-operate fully with the ITIA’s investigation in 2022.

“It was determined by AHO Parker that Luncanu, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 304 in 2009, had breached the TACP by contriving the outcome or any other aspect of several matches, and directly or indirectly facilitating tennis wagering.

“AHO Parker also found that the Player failed to co-operate fully with the ITIA investigation by withdrawing consent for their mobile phone to be analysed when requested by an ITIA investigator.

Luncanu, who denied all of the charges, will be prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the governing bodies of tennis until June 8, 2028.

“The Player has also been fined US$40 000,” the ITIA’s statement read.

In his career, Luncanu made four appearances on the main level and went 0-4. Considering that Luncanu is 34-year-old, his career is likely over. — tennisworldusa