Stefan Milicevic Banned for 24 Years Over Match-Fixing Scandal
Stefan Milicevic, a Serbian tennis player, has been banned from professional tennis for 24 years and fined £52,808 ($70,000) by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The ban comes after he was found guilty of fixing six matches and recruiting other players to participate in corrupt activities.
The investigation revealed that between 2022 and 2024, Milicevic tried to fix an additional six matches. His efforts to involve other professionals led to several more players engaging in match-fixing. The 29-year-old’s highest singles ranking was 1338, achieved as a teenager in August 2014.
Milicevic is barred from playing, coaching, or attending any events sanctioned by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, Grand Slams, or any national tennis association until 8 October 2050. Despite multiple attempts by the ITIA to get a response during the inquiry, including seven contact efforts and a formal notice on 24 September, Milicevic did not cooperate or respond.
An ITIA spokesperson clarified that his lack of cooperation did not influence the length of his ban. Instead, the extended suspension reflects the gravity of his offenses and his role in recruiting others to commit corruption, which is considered a serious violation under ITIA guidelines.
Related Investigations and Suspensions
Marino Jakic, who played alongside Milicevic at an ITF World Tennis Tour event in Osijek, Croatia, in August 2023, has been provisionally suspended since June 24 due to suspected breaches of anti-corruption rules. Jakic appealed the suspension in July, but it was upheld in August by independent hearing officer Amani Khalifa based on strong evidence.
Career and Impact
Milicevic earned less than £4,000 in career prize money but now faces a fine exceeding £50,000. Because he did not respond to the charges, his case did not proceed to a formal hearing, and he was given a "deemed sanction" instead.
Between 2022 and 2024, Milicevic participated in 11 professional matches on the ITF Tour. He also played collegiate tennis at the University of Minnesota and served as a coach at DePaul University in Chicago.
Comparison to Other Cases
His 24-year ban surpasses that of Quentin Folliot, another player implicated by the ITIA last December. Folliot was labeled a key figure in a match-fixing syndicate after violating the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program 27 times from 2022 to 2024. Despite denying all 30 charges, Folliot was described as someone who actively recruited players and deepened corruption within professional tennis tours.
