Italian tennis players have life bans lifted in fixing case

ROME (AP) Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace have had their life bans for match-fixing lifted by the Italian tennis federation.

The federation's appeals court decided Saturday to clear Starace entirely and reduce Bracciali's ban to one year.

Bracciali's fine was also reduced by half to 20,000 euros ($22,500).

An initial ruling by the federation in August was based on a probe by judicial authorities in Cremona, where the players still face likely charges of criminal association.

In 2007, Bracciali allegedly discussed fixing a match in Newport, Rhode Island, with an accountant who was later arrested.

In 2011, an owner of a betting parlor later arrested was allegedly heard saying Starace agreed to fix the result of a Casablanca final.

Starace's career-high ranking was 40th in 2012, while Bracciali reached 49th in 2006.