Tennis Dad On Trial For Manslaughter

A retired French colonel accused of trying to boost his children's tennis results by drugging their opponents has admitted that he spiked the water bottle of a rival player who later died in a car crash.

Christophe Fauviau, whose 15-year-old daughter Valentine is one of France's brightest prospects, made his confession at his trial in the southwestern town of Mont-de-Marsan.

In a case that has alarmed the tennis world, Mr. Fauviau is charged with the manslaughter of Alexandre Lagardere by unintentionally causing him to fall asleep at the wheel of his car. He faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted.

Lagardere had earlier been overcome by drowsiness while playing Mr. Fauviau's son, Maxime, in the final of a local tennis tournament. Fauviau, 46, a former helicopter pilot instructor with an exemplary military record, is also accused of administering toxic substances to 21 of Valentine's opponents and six of her brother's.

He was arrested in August 2003 at Dax railway station close to his home in Tercis-les-Bains, near Biarritz, after flying home from watching his daughter compete in Egypt.

There is no suggestion that either Valentine or her brother, who was 16 at the time of Lagardere's death, had any knowledge of what their father was doing.

Valentine has risen above the allegations against her father by continuing her climb to the top, last year winning two junior titles and attracting plaudits for her "outstanding" play. Her brother was never considered more than a good regional player.