WTA upholds $300k fine, other penalties against Dubai organizers

The WTA Tour Board has reportedly decided with finality to reject the appeal made by the Dubai organizers on the record $300,000 fine and other penalties imposed against the latter. This is in relation with United Arab Emirates‘ decision to reject the visa of Israeli player Shahar Peer, thereby prohibiting her from taking part at Dubai Tennis Championships last February.

In order for the tournament to take place by 2010, the organizers must comply with the penalties imposed by the board.

Aside from the $300,000 fine, the organizers must come up with a $2 million financial guarantee by July this year plus ensuring that qualified players from Israel will get their UAE visas at least eight weeks in advance.

The WTA tour board heard the appeal from the organizers during a series of meetings at the ongoing Mutua MadrileƱa Madrid Open.

On Sunday, Dubai Tennis Championships Tournament Director Salah Tahlak said that he and fellow officials have agreed to pay off the fine and comply with other conditions set by the WTA Board. He’s hopeful that the incident with Peer won’t happen again but stressed that they don’t have absolute control on UAE government policies and issues.

Read the related article HERE.