Tennis
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Donsteppa" data-cid="553350" data-time="1453226161"><p>The last three posts are again what make me loathe match/spot fixers so much - we go from random things being "the joys of sport" to being possibly suspicious (even in jest).</p></blockquote>
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It's like every time Pakistan lose a cricket match, either a game they should have gone on to win ( shelling easy catches, batsmen throwing away their wicket) or a truly poor performance against a lower side they should always beat. It's Pakistan they do fall apart for legitimate reasons sometimes, but we will always suspect they are on the take. -
<p>In a way, fixing in tennis is probably one of the more damaging ones. A cricketer throwing away his wicket at a certain point is an event that could have happened anyway, and unless a whole team is in on a fix then still leaves the other players all doing the 'right' thing.</p>
<p>Tennis though is one on one. Spectators only pay and watch because they see entertainment in watching a competition between two players. Fixing removes that competition and they are watching a complete farce.</p>
<p>Sure, a clever player could even provide them with more entertainment, falling behind then battling back only to fail in the end but I doubt that happens</p> -
<p>I wonder what other sports are rife for fixing?</p>
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<p>Golf? Too random maybe? The variables of erractic form, different courses and weather make betting on golf a mugs game anyway. Possibly some ability to influence in the last round once variables have settled but then the money for players by doing their best probably outweighs what a fixer would pay. Maybe some profit in where a middle of the pack player ends up on the results sheet but even then he would be having to work around the performances of others.</p>
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<p>Soccer? Really only goalies and maybe defenders being able to influence scores or results. But only when the chance presents itself by the general play.</p>
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<p>Darts? Plenty of scope there.</p>
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<p>Rugby? Pretty low chance. would need to be the captain taking options (when penalties present themselves)</p> -
<p>As Federer said, let's see some names. According to the TV news, one of the names on the list is a former US Open champ. Given the geographical locations of the betting syndicates who made millions on match fixing one name stands out.</p>
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<p>Crucial, baseball and basketball are two sports that spring to mind. Baseball could be manipulated in the same way as cricket with balls and strikes. </p> -
Lankans having some issues in crikay ...<br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11576482'>http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11576482</a><br><br>
Approaches only apparently. -
<p>Tennis is the perfect sport for this, no doubt. Has all of the conditions:</p>
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<p>- Multiple markets that are easily manipulated without necessarily altering the end result (eg set by set betting)</p>
<p>- Markets offered on low level circuits such as challenger and futures tournaments that no-one cares about</p>
<p>- Said tournaments have fuck all prizemoney, making fixing a far more lucrative option</p>
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<p>I read an article (which I can't find now) which detailed a common fix strategy in the low level circuits. Two players would agree to split the first two sets in an agreed order (player A gets the first, B the second) and then play for the chocolates in the 3rd with no restrictions. Their mates would load up on each set and make a killing, while the integrity of the match itself was somewhat preserved.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="553368" data-time="1453237521">
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<p>I wonder what other sports are rife for fixing?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Golf? Too random maybe? The variables of erractic form, different courses and weather make betting on golf a mugs game anyway. Possibly some ability to influence in the last round once variables have settled but then the money for players by doing their best probably outweighs what a fixer would pay. Maybe some profit in where a middle of the pack player ends up on the results sheet but even then he would be having to work around the performances of others.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Soccer? Really only goalies and maybe defenders being able to influence scores or results. But only when the chance presents itself by the general play.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Darts? Plenty of scope there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Rugby? Pretty low chance. would need to be the captain taking options (when penalties present themselves)</p>
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<p>Don't forget referees.</p>
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<p>BTW, there's been a ton of fixing in the lower leagues of soccer.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="553368" data-time="1453237521">
<div><br><p>Soccer? Really only goalies and maybe defenders being able to influence scores or results. But only when the chance presents itself by the general play.</p>
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<p>This guy....</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Grobbelaar#Match-fixing_allegations'>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Grobbelaar#Match-fixing_allegations</a></p> -
<p>So someone has punched all the numbers from the Buzzfeed investigation, and here are the 15 names. One is a biggie:</p>
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<p><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BFEdKAW0QHs/Vp9w0B76O0I/AAAAAAAADc0/NCq8_6ui_XI/s400/fix1.jpg" alt="fix1.jpg"></p> -
<p>But this bloke raises some pretty valid questions as he looks into the allegations against Hewitt:</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.sportdw.com/2016/01/tennis-fixing-buzzfeed-hewitt-innocent.html?m=1 '>http://www.sportdw.com/2016/01/tennis-fixing-buzzfeed-hewitt-innocent.html?m=1 </a></p> -
<p>Another really interesting article, breaking down a few suspect matches the TIU has refused to examine. Hard to believe it's all a coincidence:</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.sportdw.com/2016/01/suspicious-matches-tiu-failed.html'>http://www.sportdw.com/2016/01/suspicious-matches-tiu-failed.html</a></p> -
Couldn't be bothered starting a new thread but Maria Sharapova failed a drug test at the Aussie open. Apparently she's been taking the drug for almost 10 years but it only made the restricted list at the end of last year because it may aid in training. She's trying to be contrite and claiming it was an oversight. I expect pro athletes these days, especially those as micromanaged as tennis players have people in their pay to tell them what is OK to take or not. It's going to cost her 2 years on tour and a chunk of cash; Nike has already dropped her
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<p>I thought she sounded like she was taking it on the chin (that could go in another thread....) and at least not pointing the blame anywhere else, accepting she will likely cop a ban.</p>
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<p>Is a tough one really, because if it wasnt banned until this year and it may help enhance performance, wouldnt others have used it too? But to not stop using it, thats where you start wondering.</p>
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<p>Was listening to something today and they were saying she is the biggest draw card in tennis, more punters watch tennis when she is there than when not...kinda like the Tiger Woods (when he was TIGER WOODS and Just Doing It) of Tennis.</p>
