Tennis: Morocco qualifies for Davis Cup world group by default

The International Tennis Federation Davis Cup Committee on Sunday declared Morocco qualified to the Davis Cup World group without having to play a playoff match against Chile.

The committee kicked Chile and Argentina out of the Cup following trouble that disrupted their match earlier this month in Santiago.

The board overturned a ruling Thursday by the ITF's Davis Cup Committee, which had allowed Chile to advance to the world group qualifying round against Morocco in July.

Sunday's decision means Morocco advances to the world group by default.

Trouble flared in Santiago on April 7 with Chile leading 1-0 and Argentina's Mariano Zabaleta ahead of Nicolas Massu, two sets to one. Angered by line calls against their player, Chilean spectators tossed fruit, coins, bottles and plastic chairs onto the court, forcing the match to be halted.

The board of directors maintained Chile as the winner but ruled it will not be allowed to advance further. The board also banned Chile from playing at home through 2002.

Argentina, meanwhile, will face potential relegation to Zone Group II.

The board also reduced the fines levied against both teams.

Chile's fine was cut from $141,800 to $47,800, while Argentina's penalty was slashed from $77,100 to $25,700.