Published 22:54 IST, October 2nd 2019
Tennis umpire banned for inappropriate behaviour with Ball Girl
Umpire Gianluca Moscarella, who was accused of inappropriate conduct towards a ball girl, has been banned from officiating in any Tennis matches by the ATP
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Umpire Gianluca Moscarella, who was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a ball girl, has been banned from officiating in any further Tennis matches pending investigation. This was announced by the ATP on Tuesday. This incident took place during a second-tier ATP men’s tournament match in Florence last week. Incidentally, he had also given some unsolicited advice to the player, Pedro Sousa.
In a statement, the ATP said, “We are aware of a number of incidents involving chair umpire Gianluca Moscarella during a match between Pedro Sousa and Enrico Dalla Valle at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Florence last week. Moscarella was immediately dismissed from the tournament when the matter was brought to light, and a full investigation has been initiated. Meanwhile, Moscarella has been provisionally suspended from his services as a contracted ATP official pending the results of the investigation."
Footage of the incidents
Social media is replete with video evidence that points towards the irregularities committed by the umpire in question. In the video, he is heard telling the girl that she is "very sexy" and then asking, "are you hot, physically or emotionally or both?" Similarly, he offered encouragement to Sousa, during his Challenger Tour match with Enrico Dalla Valle.
BREAKING VIDEO! Umpire Moscarella giving any kind of advice to player during toilet break "Stay focused" "Come on" "2 minutes and its over" "Match should be 61 61 you had 45 break points" "Focused please" etc (via @Giampao57271089). Is this acceptable?https://t.co/htvLadXVpv
— Stefano Berlincioni (@Carretero77) September 28, 2019
BREAKING VIDEO! More about the umpire behaviour in that match. Said to ballgirl "“You are fantastic” “Very sexy” “Are you ok? It’s hot. Do you feel hot? Phisically or emotionally?” Is this acceptable addressed to a young girl even if said "as a joke"?https://t.co/IUHEZ5oySa
— Stefano Berlincioni (@Carretero77) September 29, 2019
Moscarella is not the only umpire to be in the dock over inappropriate conduct on the Tennis court. In 2018, the Swedish umpire Mohamed Lahyani was found guilty of encouraging Australian player Nick Kyrgios. Subsequently, he was banned from officiating in two tournaments.
21:57 IST, October 2nd 2019