WTA won’t stop Dubai tourney because of Peer visa issue
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Larry Scott, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has issued a statement on the United Arab Emirates’ decision to deny a visa to Shahar Peer, an Israeli tour professional, who had earned the right to play in the upcoming Dubai Tennis Championships.
Here’s the statement:
We are deeply disappointed by the decision of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) denying Shahar Peer a Visa that would permit her to enter the country to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships. Ms. Peer has earned the right to play in the tournament and it is regrettable that the UAE is denying her this right. Following various consultations, the Tour has decided to allow the tournament to continue to be played this week, pending further review by the Tour’s Board of Directors. Ms. Peer and her family are obviously extremely upset and disappointed by the decision of the UAE and its impact on her personally and professionally, and the Tour is reviewing appropriate remedies for Ms. Peer and also will review appropriate future actions with regard to the future of the Dubai tournament. Sony Ericsson WTA Tour believes very strongly, and has a clear rule and policy, that no host country should deny a player the right to compete at a tournament for which she has qualified by ranking.
-- Lisa Dillman