Top tennis official resigns over sexual assault

BERLIN – Dirk Hordorff has resigned as German Tennis Federation (DTB) vice-president in connection with sexualised assault allegations.

Hordorff made the announcement on Wednesday through his lawyers who also again dismissed the allegations.

Dick Hordorff said a criminal investigation has been closed which was confirmed by Frankfurt prosecution spokeswoman Nadja Niesen who said that “criminal offences have partly not been fulfilled or the statute of limitations has been reached.”

The DTB had on Monday called on Hordorff again to resign. He had lately been resting his position at the DTB which according to his lawyer had nothing to do with the allegations but with health issues in connection with two operations.

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Broadcasters NDR and Sportschau as well as the Süddeutsche Zeitung had reported the allegations which included former player Maximilian Abel speaking of sexualised assaults and that he once had to undress in front of Dick Hordorff.

The DTB had last week released a statement on the alleged incidents dating back several years, without giving names. It said it was informed last year and that according to an external investigation a wrongdoing could not be confirmed beyond doubt.

The DTB had said it condemns any kind of unethical behaviour, including a misuse of power and tolerating borderline behaviour.