French tennis player Mathieu Montcourt has received an eight-week suspension for betting on matches, the BBC reported.

The Association of Tennis Professionals ruled that the 23-year-old Frenchman wagered on tennis matches between June and September 2005, in violation of the tour's Anti-Corruption Program, established in 2003.

The ruling said that Montcourt did not bet on his own matches and there was no evidence of any intent to affect the outcome of any matches wagered upon.

The ATP also fined Montcourt $12,000.

The suspension of the men's 152nd-ranked player begins on Aug. 11, which means he will not be eligible to compete again until the Masters event in Madrid, Spain, starting Oct. 13.

Montcourt was unavailable for comment.

Earlier, this season five Italian players were hit with suspensions for a similar offense.

Bookmark this news