At the Australian Open, fans are allowed to wear T-shirts that read "Where's Peng Shui?" Has written
According to the French news agency AFP, a video of security personnel was released on Sunday in which they ordered the spectators to take off their shirts and banners in support of the Chinese player in Melbourne Park.Tennis legend Martina Navratilova called the move "pathetic."
Former doubles world number one Peng is absent from Melbourne and in November accused former Deputy Prime Minister Zheng Gaoli of trying to have "forced" sex.
His accusation was immediately censored and no one listened to the 36-year-old for almost three weeks before he returned to the Chinese public, but there are still concerns about whether he is free or not. no.
Tennis Australia, the host of the Australian Open, reiterated its policy on Monday, saying "do not allow banners, logos or clothing that is commercial or political" but after pressure mounted, tournament chief Craig Tyle said "Where is Peng Shuai? T-shirts will be allowed as long as the wearers are peaceful."
He added that security would assess every issue. "Yes, as long as they are not coming as a mob to disrupt, they are peaceful," he told AFP.
"In the last two days, some people have brought banners on two big poles and we can't allow that," said Craig Tyle.
"It's okay if you're coming to watch tennis, but we can't allow anyone to interrupt at the end of the day," he said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for printing more T-shirts, which has reached a target of 7 7,100 in two days.
The easing of the policy came as local media quoted human rights experts as saying that Tennis Australia's position could be illegal.
