Wimbledon Sponsors Not Commenting On Tennis Corruption Allegations

Wimbledon sponsors HSBC, Jaguar and Slazenger have "closed ranks and not commented on reports that claim the sport they sponsor is rife with corruption," according to Seb Joseph of THE DRUM. All three would not comment on the initial reports that "allege some 16 players, who have ranked in the top 50, have repeatedly fixed matches over the last decade." No names were mentioned, though the report claimed gambling syndicates in Russia and Italy "profited from those matches that have been fixed." That brands have "opted to remain quiet" for now should not come as a "surprise given that the report has been rejected by tennis chiefs." The allegations bare similarities to those that "rocked" football and athletics after FIFA and IAAF "respectively were reported to be riddled with corruption" (THE DRUM, 1/18).