Italian player banned for betting

Italy's Alessio di Mauro has been suspended for nine months and fined �29,000 for betting on tennis matches.

The 31-year-old is the first player to be penalised under the anti-corruption programme of the ATP, the governing body of men's tennis.

A statement from the ATP said they wanted "a longer suspension".

But it added that there was no evidence that the world number 124 either bet on his own matches or "attempted to affect the outcome of any matches".

Di Mauro was found to have bet on matches between 2 November 2006 and 12 June 2007.

His suspension begins on 12 November and ends on 12 August 2008.

Gayle David Bradshaw, the ATP's administrator, rules & competition, said: "This ruling underlines the ATP's stated policy of not tolerating players, associates or staff gambling on tennis.

"The ATP requested that the maximum sentence be imposed and whilst we would have preferred a longer suspension, we recognise that the independent anti-corruption hearing officer has to administer sanctions related to the specifics of the case and not as a general prevention.

"This the first player to be sanctioned under the programme and we found no evidence of any attempt by the player to bet on his own matches.

"We also found no evidence of any attempt to affect the outcome of any matches."

Source: BBC Sport