CBNnews.com - The International Tennis Federation (ITF) slapped a $25,000 fine on Sweden's tennis association for holding last month's playoffs between Sweden and Israel behind closed doors.

"The committee strongly condemned the decision by the city government of Malmo to refuse to allow spectators to attend the matches and the resultant fact that the Swedish Tennis Association played the tie [match] behind closed doors," read a statement from the Davis Cup committee.

In addition, the Malmo municipality has been banned from hosting Davis Cup matches for the next five years.

The Swedes must submit a written statement guaranteeing that future matches will be open to the public and pay an additional $15,000 to compensate for lost revenue in gate receipts.

According to the ITF, the 1,000 police officers on duty for last month's match were sufficient to handle any security situation with the anti-Israel demonstrators protesting Israeli participation.

In related news,, the Israeli Tennis Association plans to hold the Davis Cup quarterfinal matches with Russia at Tel Avi's Yad Eliahu stadium instead of the Israel Tennis Center in Ramat Hasharon, just outside Tel Aviv.

Source: Haaretz