Players condemn "unacceptable" Peer UAE ban

[Athletics (Rafa拿冠軍!)]

Players condemn "unacceptable" Peer UAE ban
選手譴責Peer的被阿拉伯抵制事件


http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gCFXTSqHS_So2v_y7TI27vuO-
P2g

PARIS (AFP) — Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo led a chorus of
condemnation after Israel's Shahar Peer was controversially denied a visa to
take part in the two-million-dollar WTA tournament in Dubai.

Peer, the world number 48, was told she was not welcome in the UAE, despite
having played in the Qatar Open in neighbouring Doha in 2008, a move
considered both a sporting and diplomatic success.

But the change in relations between Israel and Arab states, following the
recent Gaza conflict, led to the door being slammed shut in the face of the
Jersualem-born, 21-year-old Peer, the only Israeli player in the top 100.

"It's not acceptable," said Mauresmo after clinching the Paris Open title on
Sunday.

"I think sport should be above issues like that to do with religion and wars
and whatever. I'm surprised."

Russia's Olympic champion Elena Dementieva, the runner-up to Mauresmo in
Paris, said she had great sympathy for Peer.

"I feel very sorry for her. She's a very good girl and very sensitive. I
played her in Auckland and there was some kind of demonstration during the
match," commented Dementieva.

"I just feel sad for her. She really cares about what's going on between
Israel and Palestine and it's just a very tough situation. I think the tour
takes it seriously and I wish she could play in Dubai."

Peer faced protests over Israel's military offensive in Gaza at the Auckland
tournament in January with a group of around 20 people demanding she withdraw
from the event.

Her last outing on the tour was on Saturday where she was beaten 6-1, 6-4 by
number one seed Vera Zvonereva of Russia in the semi-finals of the Pattaya
Open in Thailand.

French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, the former world number one from Serbia,
said she was saddened by the episode.

"It's very unfortunate, I feel very sorry for her. Shahar is a friend of mine
and I feel sorry she's not here," said Ivanovic who is in Dubai.

"It's always a pity to mix politics and sport. But the WTA is looking into
it."

Dinara Safina, the world number two from Russia, said she believed the WTA
would help her out.

"It's pretty disappointing she's not playing here. She's a great player and a
great athlete. I hope she will have many more chances. I think the WTA is
doing its best for them."

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※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 220.135.104.46
※ 編輯: Athletics       來自: 220.135.104.46       (02/17 16:03)
推 megar:Dubai有可能因為這件事情失去這個巡迴賽，美國tennis
→ megar:channel也取消轉播這個賽事了~
推 megar:Fish也有對這件事情表達不滿，以色列的雙打好手Ram
→ megar:下周可能也會遇到相同的問題 ><
推 megar:oh~Ram的簽證已經確定被拒絕了~
→ Athletics:希望頂級球員可以一起抵制不參加表達抗議
→ Athletics:不過阿拉伯政府真有種..WTA要降級他們也都沒在怕的
推 duffy:不知道年終賽給了多少錢簽了幾年喔
推 avextraxemi:直接不給積分  就不會有人去了捌 ＝ ＝
→ a9a99:怎麼沒再怕? 這很嚴重了
→ a9a99:杜拜現在衰退很嚴重 不用以為他們真的錢多多
推 wayland:Sela到還沒遇到類似的困擾阿
推 Musrienport:杜拜也太跩了點...
→ dwei:Sela的排名還不夠去打杜拜 所以沒有困擾
推 Makaay:阿布達比集團還是很夠力的  看曼城就知道了 科科 錢多到花
→ Makaay:不完