Investigation on betting brings attention to Yevgeny Kafelnikov

Yevgeny Kafelnikov was investigated by the ATP in relation to suspicious betting in 2003 and is the player an Independent Panel suggested could have retired because of fixing charges, said Britain's *Telegraph*.

A week ago, the Independent Panel conducting an investigation into anti-corruption measures in tennis said in its findings that it was "concerned about the circumstances'' in which a player had retired in 2003, referencing internal correspondence which indicated that some players under suspicion could have been convinced to retire rather than receive sanctions from authorities.

The Telegraph said it has since seen the findings of a 2005 ATP investigation into corruption in the men's game, which identifies the player as Kafelnikov.

WATCH—May is Play Tennis Month:

The suspicious match was Kafelnikov's straight sets defeat to Fernando Vicente in Lyon in 2003. According to the records of the investigation, an associate of the Russian, Michael Commandeur, acknowledged betting against him using credit cards belonging to two other people. Bets were also wagered on three other matches at the tournament using Kafelnikov's credit card, though Commandeur said Kafelnikov did not know of the bets.

The Telegraph said that according to its sources, the bets were "several thousands of Euros," and ATP was alerted to bookie concerns.

Kafelnikov was sent an ATP letter informing him a "Major Offence" investigation was being started, and played his final tournament two weeks following Lyon.

The ATP's rules at the time prohibited betting just by players, their coaches and 'family members.' According to the Panel, the ATP appeared to have produced a letter imposing a $100,000 fine and lengthy suspension that finally was not sent.

The Panel said the ATP had invoked an "assertion of confidentiality" and would return to the issue in its full set of findings, but did not say the ATP broke any of its rules. It also said that the ATP and other organizations had otherwise cooperated fully with its investigation.