Australian Open officials will lift the ban placed on controversial T-shirts worn in support of Peng Shuai, a Chinese tennis player.
Craig Tiley, the tournament director, has done a remarkable backflip and told news agency AFP the ban on supporters wearing the tees will be lifted.
This decision comes after controversy grew following footage showing event security guards demanding that spectators remove their clothes at the grand Slam over the weekend.
The shirt of the activist featured the words “Where is Peng Shuai?” The back of the shirt featured the words “Where is Peng Shuai?” and the photo of Peng Shuai printed at the front.
You can hear the man asking the guard what he would recommend she wear. After the confrontation, the guard asked the female guard to remove her clothes.
A fan of the Australian Open was forced to take off a shirt that expressed concern for Peng Shuai, the tennis star who vanished after he accused a Chinese leader of rape.
Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai vanished from public view for three weeks last year after making a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo on November 2 accusing former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of raping her in 2017
Three weeks ago, Ms Shuai disappeared from the public eye after she posted on Weibo in China on November 2nd accusing Zhang Gaoli (ex-vice-premier) of raping and assaulting her.
A police officer tells the two wearing the shirt that it is not permissible for guests to wear ‘political symbols’ at the tournament.
The activist replied, “This isn’t political.”
“This does not mean you should vote Labour or the Liberal party. The Women’s Tennis Association spoke out in support of this female tennis player. This is what we do. [reiterating]What the WTA says.
According to the cop, he believed what they were saying but that ‘Tennis Australia makes the rules.
Tennis Australia previously issued a statement stating that it does not allow ‘clothing banners, signs or signs commercially or politically motivated’
Tennis Australia issued a statement stating that it would not tolerate commercial banners or signs, and also prohibits the use of clothing.
It also faced accusations of censorship over the ruling on the t-shirts, including suggestions it was protecting a lucrative $100million sponsorship deal with a Chinese liquor company.
Federal Defence Minister Peter Dutton was among those to criticise the organisation for asking the fans to remove the t-shirts.
‘We don’t want to drag sport into politics. Sky News interviewed Mr Dutton to clarify that the issue isn’t one of politics.
‘It’s a human rights issue. And it’s frankly about the treatment of a young woman who is claiming that she has been sexually assaulted.’
Martina Navratilova, a female tennis icon, had criticised Tennis Australia for the matter and accused it of ‘cowardice.
Alize Cornet, a French player was the first one to pose the question “Where is Peng Shuai?” On social media, November
Alize Cornet was the female quarter-finalist and has been an active supporter for the campaign to discover what happened to Ms Shuai. She also asked the question “Where is Peng Shuai?” on social media in November.
“When I first heard it, I was shocked.” The 32-year old French player stated that everyone should have the opportunity to show their support for Pengshuai.
“I felt it was my responsibility as a player to ask her what she’s doing.
“I am very grateful that all of these people have followed me since then. She’s still not sure how her life is going, but it was helpful to shed some light.