The betting mafia strikes tennis once again: Niko Sánchez Izquierdo threatened and escorted in Argentina
The Catalan received threatening messages before making his debut at the Rosario Challenger. Niko feared for his family's safety, who were targeted by the bettors, and his match was played without an audience: this is the story.
What a punishment to have to tell negative stories. What torture to once again face the betting mafias, those unable to respect the privacy and feelings of tennis players who are only seeking to make a living, with eternal sacrifices and the burden of being far from their families. Nikolás Sánchez Izquierdo, a 26-year-old Spanish tennis player, was the latest to receive and report a critical situation that severely affected his participation in the Challenger 125 of Rosario, Argentina: he received messages on his mobile phone from an unknown number that threatened him and his family with death if he won his first match in the Argentine tournament.
It seemed like a normal Wednesday for the Catalan. Prepared to debut in a Challenger of the second-best category, Niko faced the local Valerio Aboian, ranked beyond the top 500 and who entered the main draw as a Lucky Loser. Despite playing at home, the ranking difference hinted at a certain favoritism towards the Spanish player, who is in Rosario with his coach, Pedro Cachín, residing in Barcelona and accompanying him after recently retiring from the circuit.
However, a morning like any other quickly turned into hell. A torture. Sánchez Izquierdo started receiving messages on his mobile phone from an unknown number with the distinctive Rosario area code, threatening him if he didn't lose the match hours later. According to the code of conduct, the Spanish player reported these messages to the ITF, the first step to take when betting mafias appear. Nevertheless, the messages didn't stop: they announced that there would be repercussions if he didn't lose the match, that they knew where his parents and siblings were, and that they could even kidnap both if Niko didn't comply with the demands. Besides informing the ITF of what had happened, Niko went to the Police to file a report, a matter that has already reached the Public Ministry of the Region.
A match without spectators, reinforced police presence, and much more: this is how Sánchez reacted to the coercion of the bettors
Journalists and fans began to realize that something was wrong when the Rosario tournament organization, aware of what had happened, delayed the start of the match by an hour and 40 minutes. Eventually, it was announced that the match would be played without an audience to protect the player from the presence of these bettors: Sánchez Izquierdo was escorted at all times by the club, which enhanced the police presence. The match was played, but the Catalan appeared visibly affected, breathing with difficulty at certain moments. He ended up losing in two sets, gripped by the situation and with his mind, surely, focused on the protection of his loved ones.
Later, Niko withdrew from the doubles match scheduled for that same night and ended up leaving his first statement through Instagram. In a heartfelt post on this social network, the Catalan shared his version of the events, still with a heavy heart. "Hello everyone, I hope you are well or doing as best as possible. I write this because many people are contacting me about what happened yesterday.
First of all, for now, I will not provide information on the matter until I decide how to do so. I would appreciate it if you don't message me anymore, please. I am going back home and need to rest. Secondly, for years I have endured verbal abuse on social media, as have other players. Given the seriousness of the recent threats received, starting today, I will have zero tolerance and report any type of excessive messages that show a lack of respect or threaten me or my family.
Lastly, I sincerely thank the attention and commitment of the people who have been by my side in these moments, especially my coach (thank you, Pit, I could never have imagined receiving so much in such a short time) and the tournament, led by its director, who has taken all the necessary measures, along with the police, to ensure my safety. Thank you very much."
A story that turns into a public denunciation: that of being stricter with those who think they are untouchable, above the law, for constantly harassing players who are merely trying to earn a living for themselves and their families. As shown by the Rosario channel eltresTV, the messages were as serious as: "We know everything about you and your family,", "If things don't work out, I promise we will end your family,", "Dare to disobey and you're finished." When these messages reached his personal phone, the alarms went off. There is no better time, then, to show zero tolerance and insist to the public that losing your own money will never justify insulting, harassing, and ultimately committing acts against players that they would never do on the street. Best of luck to Nikolás and his family.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La mafia de las apuestas vuelve a salpicar al tenis: Niko Sánchez Izquierdo, amenazado y escoltado en Argentina