Shahar Peer being denied a visa by the UAE officials to play in the Sony Ericsson Open in Dubai. This is a clear violation of sporting guidelines and the WTA guidelines. Peer was to be the first Israeli to play in Dubai. It seems like this is the fallout of the Gaza syndrome that is going to play out in the coming weeks.Now, I know that people are certain to make a mountain out of this molehill as they are accutomed to doing, but then what we need is some objective rationale. No doubt it is a grave injustice to Ms. Peer, but will politics ever stop to reflect on sport and sporting decisions? If that be the case the US of A would have never boycotted the Moscow Olympics. Use your brain cells, before you subject us to your opinions.
The world number 48 has been denied a visa by the Gulf state's authorities, prompting a strongly worded response from the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), which runs the women's tour. The blocking of Peer is a surprise because she was given a visa to play in the Qatar Open in Doha last year, a visit which was a considerable success both in tennis and diplomatic terms. But the change in relations between Israel and neighbouring states, following the recent Gaza conflict, is almost certainly the reason for a change of attitude in the United Arab Emirates, according to AFP.
