Fed Cup: GB level in Romania; Ilie Nastase barred

With Johanna Konta leading Sorana Cirstea 6-2 1-2 in the second rubber in Constanta, Nastase was thrown off the court after insulting Konta and GB captain Anne Keothavong in a row apparently about noise from the crowd.

Play was suspended one game later, with Konta in tears, but after a stoppage of around 25 minutes she returned to win five games in a row for a 6-2 6-3 victory, levelling the tie at 1-1 after Heather Watson's earlier loss to Simona Halep.

During the row, the 70-year-old former world number one was reportedly heard to say to the umpire: "What's your f***ing problem?". He then appeared to call Keothavong and Konta "f***ing bitches".

Nastase was sent off the court by tie referee Andreas Egli and, after taking a seat in the stands, was then escorted back to the locker room.

He was finally stripped of his accreditation and ejected from the host tennis club in the Black Sea resort.

A statement from the International Tennis Federation read: "Mr Nastase was asked to leave the court by ITF referee Andreas Egli for unsportsmanlike conduct, having already received two official warnings.

"Mr Nastase was also removed from the grounds due to his serious misconduct.

"His accreditation was removed and he will play no further part in the tie.

"The ITF has launched an investigation into this matter as well as previous comments made by Mr Nastase during the week."

Earlier Nastase had launched into an astonishing rant at a British journalist, calling her "stupid" for reporting his apparently racist comment about Serena Williams' pregnancy.

As Nastase was escorted out of the Tenis Club IDU he again confronted British journalists and had to be restrained by security before being driven away.

An official response from the International Tennis Federation was not immediately forthcoming but the punishment is sure to be severe.

The match between Konta and Cirstea eventually resumed, with the British player winning the five games in succession to record a 6-2 6-3 victory and level the World Group II play-off at 1-1.

Nastase was unhappy after his comments were reported about Williams' baby, which is due in the autumn. "Let's see what colour it has. Chocolate with milk?," he was heard to say on Friday.

On Saturday morning before play started, Nastase stormed into the press centre at the Tenis Club IDU to seek out the British media.

Press Association Sport tennis correspondent Eleanor Crooks was the only member of the British media present in the press room at the time.

He said to Ms Crooks: "Why did you write that? You're stupid, you're stupid."

The tirade took place in front of a number of members of the Romanian media and, according to Ms Crooks, lasted between two and three minutes.

Press Association Sport has sent details of Nastase's outburst to the ITF.

Ms Crooks said: ''He repeatedly called me stupid, asked me why what he said was racist.

''I explained we simply reported what he said and that it was unnecessary to make such a comment about colour. He said the English were out to get him and called me stupid a few more times.

''Fortunately he was across the other side of the room from me and there were other journalists around so it was unpleasant rather than threatening.

''But it is certainly not the behaviour you would expect of someone in his position and wholly unnecessary, especially given he did not dispute the accuracy of what was reported.''

Williams announced on Wednesday she is expecting her first child with fiance Alexis Ohanian, who is white.

Nastase was not asked about Williams himself on Friday but made the comment, in Romanian and clearly audible, to the other players while Romanian number one Halep was answering a question about the 23-time grand slam singles champion.

The ITF launched an investigation into those comments and will be under pressure to take further action due to Nastase's behaviour on Saturday.

It is the second controversy caused by Nastase, who was appointed Fed Cup captain in October, about Williams in a month.

In an interview with Romanian media, the former world number one made totally unsubstantiated allegations of doping by Williams based purely on her physique.

The 70-year-old, who had a reputation as a playboy during and after his playing career and is a former president of the country's tennis federation, also clearly made Keothavong feel uncomfortable with a number of inappropriate remarks.

He asked for her room number during the official dinner on Thursday and then repeated the request when the captains posed together for photographs following Friday's draw while putting his arm tightly around Keothavong's shoulder.

When both teams were called back together, Nastase said to Keothavong, who is married and 18 weeks pregnant with her second child: ''We keep being attracted.''

After defeating Watson 6-4 6-1 to put Romania 1-0 up, Halep offered qualified support to Nastase but said he should apologise to Williams.

The world number five, who asked for Nastase to be made captain, said: ''He's joking all the time and I'm 100 per cent that was a joke.

''I don't believe that was something bad coming from him but I think it was not respectful a little bit with his comment. But we cannot get upset on Ilie, he's like that and he's with us the same.

''I wanted him to come because he is the best tennis player in Romania of all time and I feel great with him on court. Today it was a nice experience for me. He's a great captain and he's talking positive all the time so it's a good thing.''

Nastase's job could be on the line, but Halep is hoping he will be allowed to continue.

She said: ''I can understand him but the people from there (the ITF), they will make the decision that they have to, they know the rules.

''I hope the ITF will understand and they will leave it like this because it was a joke. I want him as a captain in the future as well.''

On whether the former world number one should apologise to Williams, Halep said: ''Maybe yes. But I'm sure it was nothing in a bad direction, he respects all the players. But maybe he has to say something.''