LONDON — Austria’s Daniel Koellerer on Tuesday became the first tennis player to be banned for life for attempting to fix matches.
Koellerer, a former Davis Cup player who once reached No. 55 in the world rankings, was found guilty of three violations of the sport’s anti-corruption rules, including “contriving or attempting to contrive the outcome of an event.” The violations occurred between October 2009 and July 2010.
The Tennis Integrity Unit, an anti-corruption group, launched an investigation on behalf of the International Tennis Federation and the ATP and WTA tours. It would not specify which matches Koellerer was found to have manipulated.
Koellerer, who also was fined $100,000, denied the charges and is considering whether to appeal.
“This is a giant shock. . . . I have been charged with approaching other players to fix matches,” he said. “I have been accused of asking other players to lose their match. That’s total nonsense.”
Koellerer is ranked No. 385.
Contador cleared to ride Tour
ZURICH — Alberto Contador is free to defend his Tour de France title, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport decided to hear his doping case after the race ends.
The court said it would hear the case from Aug. 1-3, more than a week after the Tour finishes in Paris on July 24.
The International Cycling Union and World Anti-Doping Agency are challenging the Spanish cycling federation’s decision to clear the three-time Tour champion of doping after he tested positive for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol last July. A tribunal accepted Contador’s explanation that he consumed the drug in contaminated beef.
Lesnar has surgery for disorder
MINNEAPOLIS — Former UFC heavyweight champion and University of Minnesota wrestler Brock Lesnar has undergone surgery to address a digestive disorder.
Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White said doctors removed part of Lesnar’s colon. White said he hopes to have Lesnar back in action around the beginning of 2012.
Footnotes.
Carl Torbush, defensive coordinator at Kansas and former head coach at Louisiana Tech and North Carolina, is retiring after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is scheduled to undergo surgery soon and expects a full recovery.
• Nebraska backup quarterback Cody Green has decided to transfer after getting beaten out by Taylor Martinez for the starter’s job last fall.
• The NBA approved the sale of the Detroit Pistons to California investor Tom Gores.
• Former BYU star Jimmer Fredette worked out for Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird and other team officials and admitted afterward “it was a little tiring.”
• The U.S. Ski Team promoted Forest Carey to oversee the men’s speed squad and brought in Roland Pfeifer to guide the women’s technical side.
• Usain Bolt remained unbeaten in two races this season, winning the 100 meters in 9.91 seconds at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
The Associated Press
