'Racist' Oz Davis Cup star banned for calling opponent 'f***ing kaffir'

Sydney, July 9 (ANI): The ATP has banned Western Australian Davis Cup star Brydan Klein for six months for calling his South African opponent Raven Klaasen a "f***ing kaffir" during a teenager tournament in Eastbourne, UK.

The massive ban follows a previous 14,000 dollars fine, the maximum possible under the ATP, and a suspension by the Australian Institute of Sport.

Despite issuing a public apology, the ATP today told Klein he would not be allowed to play in any tournaments in the next six months, as well as adding 10,000 dollars to his fine, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

An ATP statement said Klein had been suspended from the ATP World Tour and ATP Challenger Tour tournaments, having been found to have committed the Player Major Offense, Aggravated Behaviour under its code of conduct.

Klein has the option of appealing the penalty or accepting a reduced penalty option.

If he enrolls in and successfully completes a racial sensitivity training course, which is acceptable to the ATP, within the first four months of the suspension, the remaining two months' suspension and the additional fine will be waived, the paper said.

The penalty is effective from July 20, 2009 unless he appeals the decision. A Tennis Australia spokesman confirmed the ban after Tennis West president Dean Williams said he was sad but not surprised because of Klein's previous track record.

In a statement after the incident, Klein said he deeply regretted his actions, the paper reports.

"I would like to clarify my position on an incident that occurred during my match against Raven Klaasen in the last round of qualifying for the AEGON International at Eastbourne on June 14," Klein said.

"I deeply regret my serious error in judgment in using this word and I am very sorry for the offence this has caused. After the match I called my opponent Raven and apologised for what had happened and also apologised for any offence caused to his support team," he added. (ANI)