Romania’s Fed Cup captain Ilie Nastase has been banned from official roles at International Tennis Federation (ITF) events until 2021, following his actions during the controversial tie against Great Britain in April.
There was international condemnation of his behaviour during the tie between Romania and Great Britain, after Nastase was caught making a racist slur against Serena Williams, and openly insulting British captain Anne Keothavong and No.1 player Johanna Konta.
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On what proved to be a tumultuous weekend for the competition, Nastase was heard making the slur about Serena’s unborn child to one of his Fed Cup team: “Let’s see what colour it has. Chocolate with milk?” he is reported to have said. The ITF deemed that this comment was ‘unethical, unprofessional, unacceptable, offensive, derogatory and may be interpreted as racist’.
At the same event, Nastase was widely criticised for inappropriate behaviour towards Keothavong during the draw, when he grabbed her around the waste and asked for her room key. The ITF deemed that he ‘made a sexual advance, which was unwelcome and constituted sexual harrasment’.
Despite the mounting controversy, Nastase wasn’t finished.
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After abusing a journalist for reporting on his actions, Nastase swore at Keothavong and Konta on the first day of the tie after they complained about crowd noise during the match. The incident left Konta in tears and saw Nastase ‘sent off’. He also told the chair umpire: “you know you are not going to leave the country”.
The ITF has banned Nastase from official roles until 2021, and the two-time major winner will not be accredited at ITF events until 2019. He was also fined $10,000.
Nastase will still be free to go to Grand Slams, ATP and WTA events, none of which fall under the jurisdiction of the ITF.
Speaking at the time of the incident, Nastase said that he would ‘quit tennis’ if he was sanctioned for his behaviour.
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