Former world No.1 Illie Nastase has launched an appeal against a ban imposed on him by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) earlier this year.
The 70-year-old is currently prohibited from taking any role within the ITF following his behaviour during the Romania-Great Britain Fed Cup clash. In April, Nastase sparked controversy on the eve on the tie when he commented that Serena Williams’ baby will be ‘chocolate with milk.’ A phrase he insists had no racist intent.
Nastase, who was the Romanian Fed Cup captain, also engaged in a confrontation with British captain Anne Keothavong and Johanna Konta. He was heard calling both women ‘bitches’ and was removed from the court before being later suspended from the tie. Only for Nastase to return the following day to have lunch with a group of friends.
“Mr Nastase was found guilty of breaching Articles a.ii.a, a.iii.a, a.iii.b, a.iv.c and a.v.b of the Fed Cup Welfare Policy under the 2017 ITF Fed Cup Regulations during the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas tie between Romania and Great Britain in Constanta in April.” The ITF concluded in their July report.
Besides the ban, he was also fined $10,000 and is banned from receiving accreditations for ITF events until December 31st 2018. This is not applicable to ATP, WTA and Grand slam tournaments as they fall out of the ITF’s jurisdiction.
Nastase’s claims of biasty
The upcoming appeal is one that the ITF expected. Shortly after receiving the news about his suspension, Nastase accused the London-based governing body of ‘not being impartial’ and treating his country’s Fed Cup team poorly in a lengthy statement.
“The panel that issued the decision proved the federation’s insistence to treat my case in a very special and lacking manner of impartiality, just as the whole team of Romania was treated during the Fed Cup in Constanta.” He wrote on Facebook last month.
Concerning the match involving Konta, the former world No.1 claims that she committed ‘more than 40 violations’ of the rules. Although he didn’t name what any of them were. The match between Konta and Sorana Cirstea was temporary halted because the Brit began to cry due to the commotion of the situation.
“In the match between Sorana Cirstea and Johanna Konta, it did not matter that the British player had committed more than 40 violations of the rules. (The ITF) only countered the reactions I had because I lost my temper after the referees ignored my legal complaints against these issues.” He claimed.
During his career, Nastase won the 1972 US Open and 1973 French Open.
