Brazil's Souza suspended amid corruption probe

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), the sport's anti-corruption body, has provisionally banned Brazilian ATP world tour player Joao Souza.

In a statement on Saturday, the London-based organization did not provide details of the suspension but said it formed part of an anti-corruption program involving the ATP and WTA - the main men's and women's tours - and world tennis governing body ITF.

The probe is being headed by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, who has previously investigated cases related to match fixing.

The penalty prevents Souza from playing in any tournament organized by the ATP or its ITF umbrella organization.

Souza, 30, is currently ranked No. 404 in the world and has a career-high ranking of 69, which he achieved in April 2015.