Romanian Nastase’s ITF ban reduced on appeal

LONDON: Ilie Nastase, the 71-yearold former world No. 1 and ex-Romania Fed Cup captain, has had his ban from International Tennis Federation (ITF) team competitions reduced on appeal by an independent tribunal.

He was banned from acting in an official capacity at ITF team competitions until Dec 31, 2020, and from attending them until Dec 31, 2018, after multiple breaches of conduct rules at a Romania-Britain Fed Cup tie in Constanta last April.

The ITF found Nastase guilty of making a “highly inappropriate and racially insensitive” comment about Serena Williams’ then unborn child and of making “advances of a sexual nature” towards Britain’s team captain Anne Keothavong.

He was also found guilty of directing “abusive and threatening comments” at Keothavong, British player Johanna Konta, match officials and a member of the press.

Nastase was eventually booted out of the Fed Cup tie after swearing at the referee, Konta and Keothavong. He was later replaced as Romania captain.

Nastase appealed against his sanctions and the independent tribunal announced on Wednesday that it had reduced the bans by eight months each. Nastase can now attend ITF team events from April 23 this year and work at them from April 23, 2020.

However, his initial US$10,000 (RM39,278) fine has been doubled to US$20,000 (RM78,554).