Three umpires were suspended for life after "being found guilty of match-fixing" and betting offenses at a series of Int'l Tennis Federation Futures tournaments in Thailand last year, according to Stuart Fraser of the LONDON TIMES. Thai nationals Anucha Tongplew, Apisit Promchai and Chitchai Srililai "are not allowed to officiate or attend any professional tennis tournaments ever again" after gambling on matches and "manipulating the entry of scores into the official system for betting-related purposes and personal profit." An investigation by the Tennis Integrity Unit "brought the conduct of the three officials to light." They were found guilty in a case "adjudicated by the independent anti-corruption hearing officer," Charles Hollander QC. One tactic used by corruptible umpires is to "delay updating the scoreboard after a point." This means that gamblers, "either in attendance at the match or through contact with an informant," can place a successful bet by knowing the outcome of the point before bookmakers do (LONDON TIMES, 10/8).
