Nastase: “they can send me to prison if they want”

Ilie Nastase, the Romanian captain and former world No.1 at the centre of a controversial Fed Cup tie between Romania and Great Britain, says he is not sorry for his actions.

Nastase, who verbally abused members of the British team and officials before being ejected from the stadium in Constanta on Day 1 of the tie, told the Daily Mirror he did not regret what he did.

“They can send me to prison if they want – I don’t care,” he said.

“I was just trying to promote the interest of my girl (Sorana Cirstea). The English player (Johanna Konta) just stormed off without even asking permission to leave the court and I admit that’s when I called her a bitch.

“She kept trying to keep the crowd quiet – but it’s not an opera it’s a game.

“I don’t need this bullsh*t. I’m 70 years old. I don’t even get paid for being team captain. I don’t give a sh*t if they fine me or don’t let me sit in the captain’s chair.

“Remember I was world No.1. If you throw someone out who was a world number one, it’s not good for tennis.”

Nastase had earlier in the week sparked outrage for making a racist remark regarding Serena Williams’ pregnancy as well as behaving inappropriately toward British captain Anne Keothavong, reportedly asking for her hotel room number.