WTA Tour - Money 'not a factor' in Peer row

Eurosport - Wed, 18 Feb 18:19:00 2009

WTA chief Larry Scott has denied that money was factor in allowing this week's Dubai Championships, which is at the centre of a political storm, to go ahead as planned.

TENNIS 2008 Shahar Peer - 0

Top Israeli player Shahar Peer had been due to compete but she was denied a visa into the United Arab Emirates and had to forfeit her place.

Although the UAE's stand has angered the tennis community, the WTA allowed the lucrative $2 million event to be staged.

Observers felt the WTA's decision was driven by the knowledge many Middle Eastern countries invest heavily in the sport but Scott said the governing body of women's tennis gave it the green light for logistical reasons.

"That (money) does not factor into it. This is an issue related to principles, related to fairness to our athletes and being sensitive to what the affected player wants," Scott said.

"Practically speaking, our athletes were already there ready to play ... and we did not really have much time to react to the situation. Just because Shahar was penalised she did not want to see all her fellow players penalised.

"That's what went into the decision to let this tournament carry on this year. It will be clear this is an issue of principle that rises above any economic concerns or issues and that will be clear in the way we handle this.

"I don't want anyone to misinterpret that ... we let the tournament carry on with any sense of complacency or acceptance of this issue. Shahar certainly expects us to deal with it very clearly and firmly for the future which we will.

"Our actions will be clear in the future and we will be happy to be judged by that."

While the UAE has been condemned by tennis players and officials for their stance against Peer, pressure was mounting for tennis authorities to take action.

The furore is unlikely to die down anytime soon as the men's Dubai tournament, which begins next Monday, has Israel's Andy Ram in the doubles draw.

The ATP, which governs men's tennis, said it would review the event's status once Ram is notified about his visa application.

"I had hoped in this day and age that sporting principles would be recognised as separate from politics and this is a big step back," said Scott.

"It's a big step back for the region and a reality check for everyone that political influences will try to be imposed on sports from time to time.

"It's a lesson learned within the world of tennis and I think beyond as other sporting organisation are certainly going to pay attention to this and proceed accordingly."

The refusal to issue a visa to Peer violates WTA Tour rules, which state that any player should be able to compete where she wishes if she has the required ranking.

Like most Arab nations, the UAE has no diplomatic ties with the Jewish state and Israeli citizens are usually denied entry.

Tensions have been heightened by the three-week Israeli offensive against the Gaza Strip, which killed 1,300 Palestinians and 14 Israelis. Although the conflict ended in January, it caused deep anger around the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Tournament officials defended their stance, saying local fans would have boycotted the event if an Israeli was allowed to compete and that Peer's safety could also have been compromised.

Scott said nothing justified their action and said he would not hesitate to scratch the tournament from the 2010 calendar if the situation could not be resolved.

"If (Dubai does not back down), I'm sure there would be significant financial implications (for us) but from my perspective, this can't happen again regardless of any economic impact. It just can't happen again," Scott said."

Reuters

Comment 27 - 46 of 46

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  1. I wonder if a tournament was held in Israel will it ­ allow a Hamas player to participate..

    I can understand­ the UAE stand here.. How can you welcome in your ­ hotels a citizen who supports her country about the ­ killing of 1300 of your people and destroying a whole ­ city including UN sites. Sport event or not we are only­ humans and you can not neglect the fact the player is ­ an Israeli supporting the destruction done by her ­ country.

    From mkhalifa2000, on Sat 21 Feb 8:41AM

  2. Funny URINE -C...opps DOrin C. (?) (I do not know if­ does it mean Cacke) People who refused existence of­ other people are uncivilised.. narrow minded..these are­ people who seldom take a bath..and even comb their­ hair...obviously from backward civilisation.. who­ migrates to other places to survive..now they think­ they are bigger enough than the locals of their assumed­ place... i do not know if you are one of them hope not.­ People who wrote uncommon language in this message­ board (UK based) are lossers..now I am certain it is­ you... get life and wake up where you´ve been and go­ back there and tell your people of what you´d have­ learned from civilised country and its people....and­ remember theres no israel...therefore no israelis..what­ are these palestinians shouting for justice...because­ israelis are killing them...DEEP HALLUCINATION!! who´s­ IDIOT by the way????

    From JOMA, on Thu 19 Feb 5:10PM

  3. Larry Scott CBE.....

    From Nicholas, on Thu 19 Feb 3:17PM

  4. risimko-KAKABESALAODESSA~

    From dorin c, on Thu 19 Feb 1:48PM

  5. DorinC - I have never wasted one minute in my life­ thinking if Allah exists. But I spent considerable time­ thinking of a just and a rightful society where people­ and states abide by the rules they accepted. UAE were­ unable to follow the WTA rules they accepted therefore­ I take them as contract breachers. Pacta sund servanda­ !

    From risimko, on Thu 19 Feb 1:36PM

  6. alonshin-I NEVER WASTED ONE SECOND OF MY LIFE THINKING­ ABOUT ISRAEL.THE MATTER OF FACT ISRAEL DOES NOT­ EXIST
    AND IF EXIST,I DO NOT GIVE A @#$%.THEIR IDEEA­ BEING
    "CHOSEN" IS SAMETHING WITH­ "OBERMENSCH" AND "UNTERMENSCH"­
    IDEOLOGY.
    zamfir-HAI SICTIR IN PIZDA MATI!

    From dorin c, on Thu 19 Feb 1:28PM

  7. No truth in this world. It's rather unfortunate­ Shahar's ban is tied Israel-Gaza war. who shot the­ rockets first. Israel are also humans and have every­ right to defend themselves and exist. Scott allowed the­ game to go on 'cause of money. Let not money rule­ our heads but truth to give peace a chance.

    From king kofi, on Thu 19 Feb 12:39PM

  8. dorin c, did you even read what i wrote?!?

    it was just­ an example! i don't care about politics and who­ started which war.
    i just say that if each country will­ choose which players can play and which can't, the­ tennis world will be a mess with no credibility or­ value, no meaning for ranking-

    it doesn't matter­ if you like israel or hate it- it's the principle.­ if you don't want sport to lose the ground it­ stands on, you have to keep it seperated from politics.­ period.

    From alonshin, on Thu 19 Feb 12:26PM

  9. Dorin C...what happened to you last night were ayou­ lone and lonely??? left hanging and longing???? AN­ idiot could not qualify a good idea in this message­ board...what had you wrote???? Anyway from now on you­ are my URINE C. not Dorin C....sound healthy...RIGHT?

    From JOMA, on Thu 19 Feb 10:55AM

  10. UAE need to be taught about the principles of obeying­ one's contractual obligations. I hope it will­ happen and this lesson will be useful for the medieval­ country. otherwise they can invite some respectable­ players from the deserts of middleeast. I am sure there­ are many.

    From risimko, on Thu 19 Feb 10:24AM

  11. all those calling for the ban on uae are stupid white­ rascist. dubai ve their money and if they feel they­ dont want a zionist on their soil, so be it. the wta­ and atp can honestly go to hell or alternatively to­ israel which to me should be similar. to hell with­ israel and all of its supporters.

    From tankusuleman, on Thu 19 Feb 8:27AM

  12. alonshin,YOUR FRIENDS,THE GEORGIANS WERE THE AGRESSORS­ NOT THE RUSSIANS,YOU IDIOT!!

    From dorin c, on Thu 19 Feb 4:49AM

  13. big_davey_b,THE SAME PROBLEMS PLAIYNG TENNIS­ WEARING
    'YARMUKY's!!

    From dorin c, on Thu 19 Feb 4:43AM

  14. ziadshalabi, Your remark about Hitler being right works­ totally against you.
    Hitler wanted a pure Arayan race­ & therefore Arabs would have gone to the gas­ chambers as fast as the jews!

    From dianabc44, on Wed 18 Feb 11:13PM

  15. Dorin C.
    Impractical I'm afraid. It is pretty much­ impossible to play tennis while wearing a burqua.

    From big_davey_b, on Wed 18 Feb 8:55PM

  16. THERE IS BIG MONEY TO BE MADE IN DUBAI BUT THAT SHOULD­ NOT COME INTO IT.HOPE WTA TOUR CAN SORT SOMETHING OUT­ FOR NEXT YEAR.GOOD LUCK IN YOU'RE NEXT TOURNAMENT­ SHAHAR.

    From AJ, on Wed 18 Feb 7:07PM

  17. number 3 - big nazzi - you r such an idiot, you have no­ idea what you are talking about.
    israel do for the­ palestinians much more then hammas is doing for them. a­ few examples:
    1- allowing people to work IN israel,­ hammas doesn't make job opportunities.
    2- treating­ injured people, there is only one hospital in gaza, not­ well equipped.
    3- producing electricity for gaza,­ trucks of oil and food.
    what is hammas doing: killing­ pallestinians, firing rockets on israel, booby-trapping­ pallestinians
    homes, sending suicide bombers, etc.­ etc.
    i hope the MOSSAD will find you one day :-)

    From bvivos, on Wed 18 Feb 6:24PM

  18. uae should be banned from participating in any sporting­ event.

    From wen, on Wed 18 Feb 5:37PM

  19. larry scott should resign

    From wen, on Wed 18 Feb 5:36PM

  20. uae is a major supporter of muslim jihad­ terrorist.thats the fact.

    From wen, on Wed 18 Feb 5:34PM
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