Boris Becker, the 52-year-old German national, who was declared bankrupt in June 2017, has been blamed for not complying with obligations to disclose information.
The former Grand Slam tennis champion has failed to hand over trophies – including the 1985 Wimbledon men’s singles title which catapulted the then-unknown 17-year-old to sporting stardom – so they could be sold to settle his debts.
The trophies which are included on the new 28-count indictment are— Becker’s maiden Wimbledon trophy, his 1989 silverware from the same tournament, and his Australian Open trophies in 1991 and 1996.
Becker, who appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London on Thursday morning for a 45-minute hearing pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The former champion came in a dark grey suit, blue tie and a black face mask bearing the Puma sports brand motif and the message “Stronger Together”.
If Boris absconds on bail a warrant would be issued for his arrest. His trial would take place in September 2021.
Prosecutor Rebecca Chalkley said Becker, who lives in London, may face further charges at a later date.
Defence counsel Jonathan Caplan said: “He [Becker] is determined to face and contest these charges and restore his reputation in relation to the allegations made against him.”
Becker was accused of a slew of charges that included concealing more than £1m held in bank accounts, as well as property both abroad and in the UK.
The court also said that he failed, being bankrupt, to disclose his property interest in Coleherne Court, Chelsea, south-west London. The indictment also contained similar charges for two properties in his home town of Leimen, between Frankfurt and Stuttgart, in Germany. Becker is also accused of removing hundreds of thousands of pounds by transferring it to other accounts, including to former wife Barbara Becker, and estranged wife Sharlely ‘Lilly’ Becker. He is also accused of hiding his holding of shares in a firm called Breaking Data Corp.
