UAE denies visa to Israeli tennis player

[mrpanadabear]

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) -- The United Arab Emirates has refused to grant a visa to a female Israeli tennis player, preventing her from competing in the Sony Ericsson World Tennis Association Tour in Dubai, the WTA said in a statement Sunday.

The UAE has refused to grant a visa allowing Shahar Peer to compete in Dubai.

Shahar Peer would

Comments

[properly_stored]

Unfortunately, both Dubai tournaments have more money than God, so nothing will be done about this by WTA.

I hope they prove me wrong.

[haruhiko]

Exactly. If the WTA (or the ATP) wanted to do something substantial about the Dubai tournament they'd've done so already. Unfortunately, money talks and Dubai has plenty to throw at them.

[properly_stored]

Seriously. I'm not up on Sela's ranking, but I'm pretty sure Erlich and Ram are high enough to get into Dubai for the doubles.

I wonder if they'd get in if they applied for next year?

[haruhiko]

Yeah, Sela's so not high up enough to get into Dubai. *lol*

Actually, re. Erlich and Ram, there was some brouhaha last year about their last-minute no-show at Dubai:

http://blog.douglasrobson.com/2008/03/31/were-israelis-erlich-and-ram-denied-entrance-to-dubai.aspx
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2008-03-30-israelis-dubai_N.htm

[fly]

i don't understand how this should come as a surprise to anyone.

[supadupa_girl]

Why do you think that?
Just wondering.

[molotov_lj]

This kind of shit is really aggravating. Israel isn't exactly a role model when it comes to human rights, but neither is the UAE. It's all political posturing.

[firerosearien]

Politics should stay the fuck out of sports.

Let them play.

[terriblyiconic]

SERIOUSLY. When people try to pull this crap, it just hurts the athletes.