Fisher-Schwartz

Fisher-Schwartz Scandal

Lotan Fisher

Ron Schwartz

Taken from wikipedia

In August 2015, Boye Brogeland's bridge team (Richard Schwartz, Allan Graves, Boye Brogeland, Espen Lindqvist, Huub Bertens, Daniel Korbel) lost in the quarter-finals of the Spingold knock-out team event to Jimmy Cayne's team (James Cayne, Michael Seamon, Lotan Fisher, Ron Schwartz, Alfredo Versace, Lorenzo Lauria) by 1 IMP following an appeal that lost his team 2 IMPs. The appeal involved Lotan Fisher and Ron Schwartz, Brogeland's teammates from the previous year when they won the Spingold. Brogeland spent the following day reviewing the Vugraph records from the quarter-final and concluded that Fisher and Schwartzwere cheating and later that month created a web site and publicly accused them of cheating.

In September 2015, Per-Ola Cullin, a Swedish international bridge player, postulated that after removing the board from the bidding tray, Fisher and Schwartz placed it in particular locations as a code to indicate strength in a suit. The analysis was based on video from the European Bridge Team Championship in Croatia in 2014.

Both the European Bridge League and the Israel Bridge Federation conducted an investigation into the allegations. The Israel Bridge Federation hearings also includes an allegation related to coughing. On September 5, 2015, Israel withdrew its team for the upcoming Bermuda Bowl in Bali. They were replaced by Sweden.

In May 2016 three Israeli experts announced what they believe is a refinement to the Cullin code. The experts include Dr. Netzer Zeidenberg, a computer scientist and Amir Levin, Israel's 2003 bridge champion. Fisher and Schwartz responded, "We are innocent of any crime and we will fight for our innocence. We already successfully passed a polygraph that proved that we are innocent."

The decision of the European Bridge League Disciplinary Committee was released on May 18, 2016. Fisher and Schwartz were banned from all European Bridge League events for a period of five years, and banned from playing as a partnership for life.

On July 28, 2016, the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) announced that its Ethical Oversight Committee (chair: Jon Brissman; other members: Cheri Bjerkan, Dennis Clerkin, Lesley Davis, Bruce Ferguson, Bob Glasson, Hendrik Sharples and Eddie Wold) had unanimously found Fisher and Schwartz guilty both of collusive cheating and of giving false information to the ACBL about previous disciplinary convictions. In consequence, Fisher and Schwartz were expelled from the ACBL, and all their masterpoints, titles, ranks and privileges declared forfeit. Further, their partners and teammates were subject to mandatory forfeiture of all masterpoints, titles and ranks earned during the four years preceding the final of the 2015 Spingold Trophy. On July 29, 2016, the ACBL clarified and corrected that announcement: forfeiture by partners and teammates applied only to events in which they had played with Fisher or Schwartz, and only to the four years preceding the date of the decision, namely July 27, 2016.

On August 8, 2016, the Israeli Special Ethics Committee unanimously found Fisher and Schwartz guilty of signaling by means of board placement and on February 14, 2017, announced that Fisher and Schwartz are permanently banned from play and participation in any activities within the Israeli Bridge Federation.

Taken from wikipedia

Lotan Fisher-World Bridge Champion

Open Letter from Lotan Fisher April 21, 2021

Dear president,

More than 6 years ago, on September 2015, I was suspended immediately until a decision regarding the accusations that came up against me and my bridge partner back then, Ron Schwartz.

On May 2016, the EBL decree on both of us a suspension of 5 years from playing bridge

Therefore, as the time of the suspension now is already over, I would like to return playing bridge at the EBL tournaments.

I am asking for an official letter that the suspension is over and I can resume compete as a bridge player in the EBL.

Now, after the suspension by the EBL is over, I am still suspended by the Israeli Bridge Federation, I am asking for clarification; how can I participate in the European Bridge championships (open/teams) without being part of any NBO?

Also, can I be registered in other NBO in Europe and the part in the European bridge championship (open/teams) without living in the country that I am registered at?

Now when the suspension by the EBL is over, I am asking that no other sanctions about participating in other bridge event as: festivals around Europe/world, national's championships around Europe, local club tournaments and others will be made.

I am asking to make is clear that o-no one can prevent me from being participate in one of events above, as happened with other players lately.

I am asking to publish an official announcement now after my suspension is over in order to avoid from unpleasant incidents with bridge players that might happens at the bridge table in the future

I would like to end the letter with an apology, to say I am sorry for the damage that happened.

I had no intention to hurt anyone, not the players, not the people who loves the game as much as I do.

I respect the EBL decision as I did not asked to appeal the decision and I am happy that the time of the suspension is over and I can be back playing the game I love so much.

I can promise that any kind of a bad behavior will never happened from my side again.

Thanks in advance,

Kind regards,

Lotan Fisher

January 29, 2022

Lotan Fisher-World bridge champion

Letter from Lotan Fisher to EBL Jan 29, 2022

Dear president,

More than 6 years ago, on September 2015, I was suspended immediately until a decision regarding the accusations that came up against me and my bridge paertner back then, Ron Schwartz.

On May 2016, the EBL decree on both of us a suspension of 5 years from playing bridge

Therefore, as the time of the suspension now is already over, I would like to return playing brige at the EBL tournaments.

I am asking for an official letter that the suspension is over and I can resume compete as a bridge player in the EBL.

Now, agter the suspension by the EBL is over, I am still suspended by the Israeli Bridge Federastion, I am asking for clarification; how can I participate in the European Bridge hampionships (open/temas) withouth being part of any NBO?

Also, can I be registered in other NBO in Europe and the part in the European bridge championshio (open/teams( without living in the country that I am registered at?

I am asking to make is clear that o-no one can prevent me from being participate in one of events above, as happened with other players lately.

I am asking to publish an official announcement now after my suspension is over in order to avoid from unpleasent incidents with bridge players that might happend at the bridge table in the future

I would like to end the letter with an apology, to say I am sorry for thr damage that happened.

I had no intention to jurt anyone, not the players, no the people who loves the game as much as I do.

I respect the EBL decision as I did not asked to appeal the decision and I am happy that the time of the suspension is over and I can be back playing the game I love so much.

I can promise that any kind of a bad behaviour will never happened from my side again.

Thanks in advance,

Kind regards,

Lotan Fisher

January 29, 2022

European Bridge League

EBL reply for Lotan Fisher

Dear Mr. Fisher,

Thank you for your letter.

The WBF and EBL have reciprocity rules with all its NBO members. We have to respect the disciplinary sanctions imposed by the members.

The Israeli Bridge Federation (member of the WBF and EBL) sanctioned you for life, with the possibility of reinstatement after 10 years. The EBL has the statuory obligation to respect this sanction that you can therefore not yet participate in EBL events.

There is also the matter of the 45000EUR, plus interest, that you owe the EBL in fulfilment of the verdicst. This must also be settled before you can participate again.

Best wishes

Jan Kamras

EBL president

February 4, 2022