Match-fixing threat exaggerated - Ritchie - Sport in brief

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The 122nd Wimbledon tournament begins a month after the publication of a report into corruption in the game by former police officers who identified 45 games stretching back to 2002 with suspicious betting patterns.

Eight of these involved games at Wimbledon and Ritchie told BBC Radio Five Live: "Gambling is obviously happening - that is why we commissioned the report."

He added: "The ex-police officers had worked in horse racing and cricket and were specialists in the area and the 15 recommendations they put forward we are all going to adopt as part of global tennis.

"So yes, it would be naive to say there was nothing going on and we have to be aware of some activity but again when you come to a tournament of this status and stature I don't believe anybody is going to do anything other than try their very best.

"There is a big gap between irregular betting patterns and match fixing and corruption. Just because there are irregular patterns doesn't mean there is somebody inside the game dealing with something improperly."

Ritchie also dismissed the possibility of players within the top 200 throwing matches, saying: "I don't think anybody is doing that. And despite all the huff and puff about it nobody has ever provided any evidence to show it.

"So if they do it will be dealt with. But there is a lot of speculation, gossip and innuendo and very little fact."

Measures adopted for this year's tournament include the tightening of security and the restricting access to the changing rooms meaning only players and coaches will be allowed in.

Ritchie insists it is a common-sense approach but moved to play down its significance, saying: "You have always got to be aware in professional sport of threats to the integrity of the game."