Daniel Koellerer, the rebellious Austrian tennis player chose surprisingly casual attire as he launched his appeal against a lifetime ban for attempted match fixing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. The 28 year-old arrived for the appeal hearing unshaven and wearing an open necked shirt under a ski-jacket.
Koellerer is appealing against guilty verdicts on three violations between October 2009 and July 2010 and although the hearing is expected to extend just two days, a verdict is not expected to be announced until early next year.
Nicknamed ‘Crazy Dani’ for his controversial behavior while on court, Koellerer became the first player to receive a lifetime ban in May after wide reaching investigation by the Tennis Integrity Unit. He also received a $100,000 for betting-related corruption.
At the time Koellerer was ranked 385 on the ATP World Tour computer and a statement found him guilty of ‘contriving or attempting to contrive the outcome of an event.’
The TIU statement continued: “The life ban applies with immediate effect, and means Mr Koellerer is not eligible to participate in any tournament or competition organized or sanctioned by the governing bodies of professional tennis.
Koellerer, was handed a suspended three-month ban in 2010 after admitting using his personal website to facilitate betting on matches.
“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”
Topics: Daniel Koellerer