Sporting forfeits through security concerns

Factbox detailing sporting forfeits due to security reasons following Australia's decision to pull out from taking part in their Davis Cup tie in India on Saturday.

TENNIS

* Tennis Australia (TA) wrote to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on March 17 requesting that the World Group playoff tie from May 8-10 be moved out of India on security grounds.

* The All India Tennis Association (AITA) responded by saying Australia should forfeit the tie if they did not want to play in India.

* On April 25, TA opted to forfeit the tie over security concerns, leaving the way open for a likely one-year ban from the Davis Cup.

CRICKET

* At the 2003 World Cup in South Africa and Zimbabwe, England forfeited their Pool A match against Zimbabwe for security reasons, while New Zealand forfeited their Pool B match against Kenya, also for safety concerns.

* England's decision proved costly, as they were beaten to a Super Six phase berth by Zimbabwe.

* New Zealand progressed to the Super Six phase but their decision to forfeit the Kenya match cost them dear and they failed to progress to the semi-finals.

BASKETBALL

* Israeli team Bnei Hasharon forfeited a 2009 Eurocup game in Ankara when fans of the home team Turk Telecom began protesting against Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

* Precautions had been made as trouble was brewing -- thousands of police officers surrounded the court, and street demonstrations of 4,000 people were already taking place outside the arena.

* After 90 minutes all the fans were expelled, arrested or dragged from the arena. The referees attempted to get the teams back onto the court to play before an empty arena, but Bnei Hasharon, after two hours of being prisoners in their locker room, had no desire to play.

* Referees called it a forfeit and the Turks were declared winners of the game by the official forfeit score of 20-0.