[spamkillerj]

February 20, 2009

SONY ERICSSON WTA TOUR LEVIES LARGEST EVER FINANCIAL PENALTIES AND SETS CONDITIONS FOR FUTURE OF DUBAI TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS



ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, USA – Following a special meeting of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Board conducted earlier today in connection with the decision by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this past week to deny the visa application of Israeli Tour player Shahar Peer, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour announced that effective immediately it is taking the actions described below.

Commenting on today’s actions, Larry Scott, Chairman & CEO of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour stated: “The actions taken today are intended to redress the wrongs suffered by Shahar Peer, who was victimized by an unjust policy of discrimination by the UAE. These actions are also intended to send a clear message that our Tour will not tolerate discrimination of any kind and that we will never allow this situation to happen again, in UAE or elsewhere. Thanks to the courage of Shahar, and all those individuals and organizations – including her fellow players – that supported her, the UAE has changed their policy and another barrier of discrimination has fallen.”

Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Actions in re Shahar Peer, Anna Lena Groenefeld and Dubai Tournament:

· Shahar Peer Ranking Points - The awarding of 130 ranking points to Shahar Peer – an amount equal to the points that she earned during the same week in 2008 (week of Memphis) that she was unable to defend this past week in Dubai as a result of the denial of her entry visa by UAE. Such points will remain on Ms. Peer’s ranking until such time as she has had an opportunity to earn equivalent points at the next tournament offering ranking points equal to the Dubai tournament.

· Shahar Peer Prize Money – The awarding of US$44,250 to Shahar Peer – an amount equal to the average prize money that she earned per tournament (singles and doubles) in 2008, grossed up to take account for the increased prize money on offer at 2009 tournaments.

· Anna Lena Groenefeld Prize Money – The awarding of US$7,950 to Anna Lena Groenefeld, who was to be Shahar Peer’s doubles partner in Dubai and who was unable to compete in doubles with Ms. Peer as a result of the denial of Ms. Peer’s entry visa by UAE. This amount is equal to the average prize money that she earned per tournament in doubles in 2008, grossed up to take account for the increased prize money on offer at 2009 tournaments.

· Dubai Tennis Championships Financial Penalty – The fining of the Dubai tournament US$300,000 for breach of Tour Rules, By-Laws and conditions of membership related to the denial of entry to Shahar Peer. This fine amount represents the highest fine ever levied against a Tour member. Proceeds from the fine shall be used to compensate each of Ms. Peer and Ms. Groenefeld, with the balance to be donated to a charity or charities, to be determined by the Tour in consultation with Ms. Peer.

· Dubai Tennis Championships Financial Performance Guarantee – The posting by the Dubai tournament of a US$2 million financial performance guarantee by July 1, 2009 that the conditions described below will be satisfied.

· Dubai Tennis Championships Conditions for Continued Membership – The establishment of a series of conditions to be met by the Dubai tournament in order to maintain its membership and be included on the Tour’s 2010 calendar, including: (i) confirmation of the written assurances already received that all players who qualify for the tournament shall, regardless of nationality, or any other reason, be allowed to play in the Dubai event and shall be issued entry visas or permits, (ii) proof of approved UAE entry permit to enter the UAE for any Israeli player a minimum of eight (8) weeks prior to the start of the 2010 Dubai tournament, and (iii) guarantee that Ms. Peer shall be offered a wildcard to play the Dubai tournament in 2010 in the event that she does not qualify by ranking.

[Flikemommoilt]

So this is the one thing I'm fuzzy about. What role did the tournament itself play in having Shahar's visa denied? Did they support the UAE's decision on the front? Even advocate for it? Is there any chance that the tournament officials actually urged the UAE government to approve the visa? And the UAE government did not follow suit?

In other words, is there any chance at all that the tournament is being unfairly penalized for the decisions of its government?

These are purely information-gathering questions. It's very likely tournament officials were in the wrong as well. But I don't remember reading anything to that effect, though I easily could have missed it. I hate it when work interrupts my TAT time.

[Elelaytet]

Fairly satisfactory, but I'd prefer a cancellation of the tournament instead of a $2Mil fine if the last part is not met in 2010

[Mowselelex]

There may be subtleties I'm not aware of, but on the surface this looks pretty good.

[soprofaxelbis]

It seems fair to me. Peer and Groenefeld are being compensated for possible lost income and ranking points, and the tournament is getting the slap they deserve.

Personally, the vengeful person I am, would have liked to have seen the tournament unsanctioned and kicked off the tour.

But I wanted the Tennis Channel to kick Gimelstob to the curb, and we all know how that turned out.

[mloversia]

Fairly satisfactory, but I'd prefer a cancellation of the tournament instead of a $2Mil fine if the last part is not met in 2010

Well, it says "conditions to be met by the Dubai tournament in order to maintain its membership and be included on the Tour’s 2010 calendar"... am I wrong if I read it as a menace to cancel the tournament if they fail to confirm that she'll get a visa eight weeks before the event? That's fine to me, it avoids having them pull the trick of denying her the visa when it's too late for players and the Tour to do much about it...

[kubekniekubek]

Fairly satisfactory, but I'd prefer a cancellation of the tournament instead of a $2Mil fine if the last part is not met in 2010

2 Mill is not enough. IMHO. It's a spoonful of oil for them.

[Elelaytet]

Well, it says "conditions to be met by the Dubai tournament in order to maintain its membership and be included on the Tour’s 2010 calendar"... am I wrong if I read it as a menace to cancel the tournament if they fail to confirm that she'll get a visa eight weeks before the event? That's fine to me, it avoids having them pull the trick of denying her the visa when it's too late for players and the Tour to do much about it...

I think it's saying, "we're keeping them on the 2010 calendar provided they give the $2MIL guarantee that those conditions be satisfied"

[Flikemommoilt]

I'll ask again...

To some degree, though, isn't the tournament somewhat at the mercy of government decisions? Or do I just not adequately understand how things work? (Which is TOTALLY possible...)

[Gometesstem]

I'll ask again...

To some degree, though, isn't the tournament somewhat at the mercy of government decisions? Or do I just not adequately understand how things work? (Which is TOTALLY possible...)

As far as I know the tournament is very closely associated with the government (ruling family). One can even say it's a state sponsored enterprise...

[Flikemommoilt]

As far as I know the tournament is very closely associated with the government (ruling family). One can even say it's a state sponsored enterprise...

Thanks. That's what I wanted to know.

[Breevereurl]

Happy Shahar and Anna-Lena are being compensated, still I'd prefer to have the tournament axed because of this mess. I still believe that Dubai does not deserve a premier tennis event within it's borders because of this mess against Shahar. The big question is, will the tournament and the country's governemnt follow these new rules?

[DoterForeva]

2 Mill is not enough. IMHO. It's a spoonful of oil for them.

It's a larger number than I expected. It's the entire prize money for the event. I'm ok with that...since they're intent on trying to keep the event.

[Sniliabiz]

Happy Shahar and Anna-Lena are being compensated, still I'd prefer to have the tournament axed because of this mess. I still believe that Dubai does not deserve a premier tennis event within it's borders because of this mess against Shahar. The big question is, will the tournament and the country's governemnt follow these new rules?

I agree with the penalties, but I think it is unfair to hold a long-term grudge against Dubai or the UAE as a country. For example, just because there are tennis-related cases like Indian Wells, or non-tennis related cases like Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, does not mean that all tennis tournaments in the US should be canceled or that it is unethical for players to be in the country practicing. The UAE tournament violated the WTA rules by not securing visas and they got punished. Fair enough. But I have also read reports that the tournament organizers treat the players really well, organize humanitarian events, make them get out and see the city of Dubai, etc. Also, the low attendance during the day session might just have been because of the heat; the seats were nearly all packed for the Venus-Serena match today, as far as I could see. So, I feel kind of uncomfortable with completely black-listing a place because of one event.

[Elelaytet]

I agree with the penalties, but I think it is unfair to hold a long-term grudge against Dubai or the UAE as a country. For example, just because there are tennis-related cases like Indian Wells, or non-tennis related cases like Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, does not mean that all tennis tournaments in the US should be canceled or that it is unethical for players to be in the country practicing. The UAE tournament violated the WTA rules by not securing visas and they got punished. Fair enough. But I have also read reports that the tournament organizers treat the players really well, organize humanitarian events, make them get out and see the city of Dubai, etc. Also, the low attendance during the day session might just have been because of the heat; the seats were nearly all packed for the Venus-Serena match today, as far as I could see. So, I feel kind of uncomfortable with completely black-listing a place because of one event.

same here

[fuesquemill]

Is the $2M guarantee there to indicate that the tourney/government could lose this amount AND not have a 2010 event if they don't meet all the conditions?

Whereas the $300,000 amount is a fine due now, to compensate Shahar, ALG, and be a charitable donation (to a Jewish organization, I'm going to guess).

[Gometesstem]

I agree as well.

[MaickiP]

Cool!

[soitlyobserty]

Thanks. That's what I wanted to know.

Yes, the tournament director is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E and ruler of Dubai

[soitlyobserty]

Dubai is thinking of appealing

Dubai organizers are considering whether to appeal the $300,000 levied against them by the WTA. "We are looking at it and will respond in a few days," said the tournament's managing director, Colm McLouglin in comments quoted by Reuters. "Neither Dubai Duty Free nor the tournament issues visas. We request them. It is the immigration authorities and sometimes the security people who make the decisions."
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