Ukrainian coach banned for six years

MELBOURNE, Mar 31 (Reuters) A Ukrainian swimming coach filmed fighting with his daughter at the world championships in Melbourne has been banned for six years.

FINA, the sport's world governing body, found Mikhaylo Zubkov, 38, guilty of two separate charges of breaching the code of conduct and bringing the sport into disrepute.

''The FINA Disciplinary Panel, having considered carefully the submissions of Mr Zubkov's lawyers, evidence provided by both Mr Zubkov, his daughter and character references, has decided to expel Mr. Zubkov from any activities under the jurisdiction of FINA and Member Federations immediately,'' FINA said in a statement.

''The FINA Disciplinary Panel recommends to FINA that Mr.

Zubkov be eligible to apply to be readmitted to FINA not before six years.'' FINA said Zubkov was entitled to appeal.

Zubkov had been ordered to face a Melbourne court after he was filmed pushing and shoving his 18-year-old daughter Kateryna Zubkova in a marshalling area on Tuesday.

Police tried to have an intervention order extended, banning Zubkov from contacting his daughter, but the magistrate dismissed the matter after the swimmer refused to give evidence.

Zubkov and his daughter left the court together holding hands and Kateryna told local media the incident had been sparked by her refusal to stop seeing a boyfriend against her father's wishes.

''He would never hurt me,'' she said. ''He's a wonderful father.'' REUTERS DH BST0708