The Dean

Major feature just been on CNN on this..............

Talk of taking Dubai off the WTA circuit, Peer suing for lost earnings, etc.

Mark my words, dear readers - this one has got legs and we will hear more of this...........

Jammy_Dodgers

I agree, i heard on the news that the World olympic commitee has echoed similar sentiments.
If the UAE/ Gulf countries refuse admission to qualified nations (Israel), than those countries will NEVER be asked to bid to host the olympics..

I guess sports city is going to be a bit of a let down!

commander

Do you think, under international pressure and the 'need' for events like this, they will relent?

Arab pride and stubborness in my opinion will get the better of them.

sports city=biggest sunday, well friday league stadiums ever

Jammy_Dodgers

I dont care, i really hope that DXB falls completely on its arse.
Hopefully some of the locals wont be so arrogant once they have been through the financial mill and realised they are not untouchable..

The Dean

I wonder............... if we'll see a (minor) protest at the tournament itself this week (prepared statement read by the players etc)?

Every little helps.......................

benzonar

The thing is if she had been allowed to turn up there would have been a serious threat to her safety and possibly a major disturbance/demonstration. However I'm sure Dubai's stance is not based on this and is purely political pandering.

bimcnorth

You must visit Abu Dhabi some day, what they want they get...

seraphnina

According to CNN the Isreali doubles team were also banned last year.

B Bear

The issue is passport origin. Does anyone here have a passport showing their religion? No. I thought not. The Germans used to stamp a big 'J' on some folks passports a few years back, but have given it up as a bad idea after a bit of persuasion.

Is the British foreign secretary going to be blacklisted for his background along with many other significant UK, US and other countries' politicians? Nope.

B Bear

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/sp...tml?ref=sports

Tennis Channel not covering it.

The Dean

.......... well CNN certainly are.

It's all over the main bulletins today, with viewer polls, etc a feature of it all. The lady herself has been interviewed, and comes across in a very dignified and restrained way, to her credit.

Bambi in Abu Dhabi

It is not about Religion; indeed there are many Jews living and working in the UAE. The issue is over having an Israeli passport. The policy to exclude those with Israeli passports is for Political, not religious reasons.

commander

politics and religion in this part of the world are not linked??

Bambi in Abu Dhabi

Well of course they are, but the law excludes Israeli passport holders not Jews generally.

Inselaffen

bet she would have got a visa if she had been an Israeli arab!