Dubai Officials Have a Decision to Make

Yesterday, I shared with you the statement made by the Tennis Channel regarding the Israeli player, Shahar Peer, who was barred from playing in the Dubai Championships.

The tournament organizer made a statement regarding the decision saying “Peer’s ‘presence would have antagonized our fans’ because of the attacks in Gaza, which left about 1,300 Palestinians dead, at least half of them civilians, according to Gaza health officials.”

Another Israeli player is stuck in France hoping to make it in the Sunday draw. Andy Ram is in Marseilles, France, and awaiting word if he will be allowed into Dubai. Ram is ranked No. 7 in the world in doubles.

Ram’s lawyer, Amit Naor, told The Associated Press, "Andy wants to play, he’s not interested in all the other stuff," Naor said. "He’s not looking for trouble, he’s looking to play … we thought politics was already out of sports."

Sports is a place where politics has to be set aside. It’s a time when countries should be able to come together and showcase their best athletes. Instead, people are being barred and left out and there is something very wrong with that.

I understand that tournament officials want to make sure that everyone is safe, but it’s just despicable that a country has to be highlighted like this and that their best players are being punished.

What are your thoughts on this whole situation?

Check out some pictures below of protestors wanting Shahar Peer to leave the ASB Classic in New Zealand in early January.

Source: Wizbangsports.com