REPORTS: French Tennis Federation Faces Major Setback After President Defrauds in ITF Application

French Tennis Federation (FFT) president, Bernard Giudicelli, is also on the Board of Directors of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as the Vice President. However, as per new information that came to light, Giudicelli altered his application for the position.

As per reports, the Frenchman falsified his CV for the application of the ITF position, by stating that he had completed a doctorate in Economics. He applied with the new CV in 2019, when he wanted to retain his position on the ITF Board of Directors.

Guidicelli was first elected to the board in 2015. A CV obtained from back then states that Guidicelli had a license in Economics. He obtained it from the University of Aix-Marseille in 1980. The other CV, from last year, states in the same place that he completed a doctorate.

How the information came to light

There is no information yet that would confirm Giudicelli’s claims of attaining the doctorate. Jacky Terreau, one of the supporters of Guidicelli’s competitor, Gilles Moretton, who is in the race for the French Tennis Federation presidency, made the revelation to the Ethics Committee of the FFT.

If confirmed, Guidicelli’s actions would break the French law, which imposes penalties on those who falsely attain diplomas. At the same time, it would also be against the ethics of FFT and ITF. The Ethics Committee will now look into the matter and make a decision on the plan of action.

Guidicelli responded to the accusations and confirmed that he had earned a ‘DESS in Tourism Economics’ in 1980 from the University of Aix-Marseille II. As per Guidicelli, the university awarded him the diploma in September 1983.

A big problem for the French Tennis Federation

Guidicelli became the Vice President of the FFT in the early 90s for the first time. In 2013, Guidicelli was elected as the secretary-general of the organization. In February 2017, Guidicelli became the President of the French Tennis Federation.

The news of Guidicelli potentially falsifying his qualifications comes in the midst of the Rolex Paris Masters 2020. The French Tennis Federation had to face a lot of setbacks and hurdles, before finally being able to host the biggest tournament they have, after the French Open. The new controversy related to their president will certainly add to their troubles.

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