Australian Open reverses its ban on activists’ Peng Shuai t-shirts

The Australian Open has reversed its ban on fans wearing ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ t-shirts at Melbourne Park following a wide ranging backlash to the tournament’s claim they constituted ‘commercial or political’ material.

At the weekend, spectators at Melbourne Park were asked to remove their shirts referencing the Chinese player, whose wellbeing has been the subject of international concern since she accused a senior Chinese official of sexual assault in early November.

Tournament security confiscated a banner and asked fans to take off their shirts before Victoria Police were called over and an officer explained “I’m not saying you can’t have those views, but Tennis Australia sets the rules here”.

In the two days since the situation was made public by Brisbane activist Drew Pavlou, high-profile figures have pushed back on Tennis Australia’s insistence that Peng’s safety is its “primary concern” despite its decision to classify the banner and T-shirts as “commercial or political” material.

Tennis great Martina Navratilova on Monday condemned the stance as “pathetic” and accused Tennis Australia of “capitulating” to China.

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton added his view on Tuesday, telling Sky News that Peng’s safety “is not a political issue (but) a human rights issue” adding “it’s frankly about the treatment of a young woman who is claiming that she has been sexually assaulted.”

Australian Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, also noted that freedom of speech should be defended and that she respected Peng’s “strength in making those disclosures”.

Tennis Australia Chief Executive and Tournament Director, Craig Tiley, today announced the ban for shirts would be reversed as long as those wearing them were well behaved.

Noting that banners would still be barred due to safety concerns, Tiley told AFP “yes, as long as they are not coming as a mob to be disruptive but are peaceful.

“It’s all been a bit lost in translation from some people who are not here and don’t really know the full view.

“The situation in the last couple of days is that some people came with a banner on two large poles and we can’t allow that. If you are coming to watch the tennis that’s fine, but we can’t allow anyone to cause a disruption at the end of the day.”

Guardian Australia reported a source from Tennis Australia as saying decisions around what will or will not be allowed inside Melbourne Park would be made on a case-by-case basis.