Boris Becker is set to be dropped from next year's BBC 's coverage of Wimbledon as a result of his deportation to Germany and ban from UK return, it has been reported.
The three-time Wimbledon champion was freed from prison this week and deported back to his native Germany. He had been sentenced to two-and-a-half-years imprisonment in April this year after being found guilty of four charges under the Insolvency Act relating to his bankruptcy.
Becker has lived in the UK since 2012 and had been expected to serve half of his sentence. However, the 55-year-old qualified for automatic deportation due to being a foreign national who does not have British citizenship.
The 'fast track' release scheme allowed Becker to be home with his loved ones for Christmas after serving eight months of his jail term. The scheme sends criminals back to their native country before their release date easing pressure on Britain’s prison service.
It is understood Becker can't apply to return to the UK as a visitor until his full sentence has expired. That would make it impossible to attend this year's Wimbledon and it is understood the six-time Grand Slam winner has been dropped by the BBC.
A source told the Sun newspaper : "His services are no longer required at Wimbledon, his favourite gig. It’s understood his team haven’t been told so he’s sure to be gutted. But he can’t get back into the UK, so covering it wouldn’t be easy.”
It had seemed that the BBC were prepared to welcome Becker back to their BBC coverage with ex-player Andrew Castle stating that he 'missed Boris' during coverage of the Queen’s Club Championships earlier this year.
“I’ve had a real moment of missing Boris," Castle said. “I know he’s in prison and I know why. Boris, we look forward to welcoming you on your return.”
Unsurprisingly the commentator received a backlash from tennis fans who pointed out the Becker had committed fraud.
The tennis legend was sentenced in April after being found guilty of hiding £2.5million of assets and loans to avoid paying debts. The case centred on Becker’s bankruptcy in June 2017 resulting from an unpaid loan of more than £3m on his luxury estate in Mallorca.
The German icon went on trial at Southwark Crown Court having been charged with illegally failing to hand over trophies in satisfaction of his debt.
Mirror Sport have approached the BBC for comment.
