Girl, 8, kicked out of tennis tournament after father gave her secret instructions through a hidden ear-piece

Officials decided to disqualify Ukranian-born Anastasiya Korzh from a junior tennis tournament on New Zealand's South Island after they discovered wire in the girl's headband.

Tournament referee Rob Wilkinson said he and other officials became suspicious as the girl's game had a 'heightened degree of questioned calls'.

Disqualified: Demetri Korzh claims he was only helping his eight-year-old daughter keep score

But Anastasiya's father Demetri - an international wrestling coach - claimed he was not helping her cheat.

He said he turned to technology on the third day of tournament after noticing a number of suspicious calls and believed his daughter was having trouble keeping score.

'It was obvious girls were taking advantage of Ana because she was playing for the first time,' he said.

'I was trying to help my child and there was a miscommunication. It is like she has been punished twice.'

Players in the under-10 girls grade of the Canterbury Junior Winter Tournament in Christchurch are supposed to keep their own score and referee their own games.

Anastasiya's earpiece was linked by a cord to a receiver under her shirt and Mr Korzh was speaking to her through a transmitter from the sideline.

He suggested the receiver was actually more of a disadvantage because it affected co-ordination to have one ear covered.

'It was her first tournament. I said to her "Are you sure you will be comfortable?" . She said "yes". Sometimes she says, "Dad please don't say anything", because she gets confused.'

Mr Korzh told the New Zealand newspaper The Press he was 'disappointed'.

'They said if she's too young to keep score she shouldn't be playing,' he exclaimed.

Mr Korzh explained he took the receiver off his daughter after it was discovered.

But officials decided to disqualify her from the tournament after consulting with New Zealand tennis' ruling body.