Boris Becker pleads not guilty to charges over bankruptcy

By: AFP
Published: 06:50 PM, 24 Sep, 2020
Boris Becker pleads not guilty to charges over bankruptcy
Caption: German tennis legend Boris Becker arrives at Westminster Magistrates court in central London. AFP
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German tennis great Boris Becker pleaded not guilty at a British court on Thursday to a series of criminal charges relating to his bankruptcy as he was told he could face seven years in jail.

The six-time Grand Slam winner, who was declared bankrupt in June 2017, is accused of not complying with obligations to disclose information.

Becker, who wore a black face mask and cap, pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of failing to disclose money and property between May 2017 and June 2017.

The 52-year-old, who lives in London, is being prosecuted by the Insolvency Service. Bankruptcy issues were considered at hearings in the High Court in London.

Becker, smartly dressed in a suit and red tie, was conditionally bailed to next appear in court for a preliminary hearing on October 22.

The German took the tennis world by storm as a 17-year-old as he became the then youngest-ever men's Grand Slam champion at Wimbledon in 1985, defending his trophy the following year.

Nicknamed "Boom Boom", he went on to win a further four majors and 49 singles titles in all, amassing $25 million in prize money.

Becker also enjoyed a successful spell from 2014 until 2016 as coach of Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic.

Categories : Sports, Tennis

Agence France-Presse is an international news agency.