No decision on Nastase for at least two weeks: ITF's Haggerty

[April 25, 2017]  By Karolos Grohmann

BERLIN (Reuters) - Romania Fed Cup captain Ilie Nastase will have to wait for at least two weeks to discover if he is to face further action after he was provisionally banned from all ITF events following his verbal abuse of British players last weekend.

The 70-year-old former French and U.S. Open champion, who earned a reputation for controversial behavior during his playing days, was excluded from the tie on Saturday for unsportsmanlike conduct, with an investigation under way.

"(The investigation) is ongoing. At this point, one of the principles that is important is that we want a rigorous process that is fair," International Tennis Federation (ITF) President David Haggerty said on Monday.

"We will also hear Nastase’s side of the argument. It will be a thorough process conducted in an efficient manner. I do not think you will be hearing any final decisions in the next two weeks."

Saturday's second singles rubber between Romania and Britain was briefly suspended with world number seven Johanna Konta in tears after the remarks made by Nastase.

Konta recovered her composure to finish off a victory over Romania's Sorana Cirstea and level the tie at 1-1 but Romania went on to win it and Konta and Heather Watson both lost on Sunday.

Britain's captain Anne Keothavong also said she was made to feel uncomfortable by "inappropriate comments" made by Nastase at the official pre-match dinner.

Romania's head coach Ilie Nastase reacts while watching the FedCup Group II play-off match between Romania and Great Britain, in Constanta county, Romania, April 22, 2017. Inquam Photos/George Calin/via REUTERS

Nastase had already run into trouble during the World Group II playoff tie in Constanta, Romania, after allegedly making a derogatory comment about American world number two Serena Williams's unborn child.

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Mitch Phillips)

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