Koellerer receives life ban in crackdown on match-fixing

Daniel Koellerer, a 27-year-old Austrian, has become the first player to be banned for life for attempting to fix matches. Koellerer, who was the world No 55 two years ago, was also fined $100,000 (about £61,000) after being found guilty by the Tennis Integrity Unit of three charges relating to betting and match-fixing. The unit refused to reveal details, but said the breaches of the sport's anti-corruption programme had occurred between October 2009 and July 2010.

Koellerer's manager, Manfred Nareyka, told an Austrian radio station that the former Davis Cup player "has been found guilty of fixing two matches involving other players and one of his own". Koellerer denied the charges and is considering an appeal. He told the same radio station: "I have been accused of asking other players to lose their match. That's total nonsense."

Tennis players are banned from all betting on matches. Koellerer, who has twice been suspended for his on-court behaviour, and Nareyka were disciplined last year after the player's personal website listed odds for matches and had links to betting websites.