Shahar Peer

PARIS (AFP) — Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo led a chorus of condemnation after Israel's Shahar Peer was controversially denied a visa to take part in the two-million-dollar WTA tournament in Dubai.

Peer, the world number 48, was told she was not welcome in the UAE, despite having played in the Qatar Open in neighbouring Doha in 2008, a move considered both a sporting and diplomatic success.

But the change in relations between Israel and Arab states, following the recent Gaza conflict, led to the door being slammed shut in the face of the Jersualem-born, 21-year-old Peer, the only Israeli player in the top 100.

"It's not acceptable," said Mauresmo after clinching the Paris Open title on Sunday.

"I think sport should be above issues like that to do with religion and wars and whatever. I'm surprised."

Russia's Olympic champion Elena Dementieva, the runner-up to Mauresmo in Paris, said she had great sympathy for Peer.

"I feel very sorry for her. She's a very good girl and very sensitive. I played her in Auckland and there was some kind of demonstration during the match," commented Dementieva.

"I just feel sad for her. She really cares about what's going on between Israel and Palestine and it's just a very tough situation. I think the tour takes it seriously and I wish she could play in Dubai."

Peer faced protests over Israel's military offensive in Gaza at the Auckland tournament in January with a group of around 20 people demanding she withdraw from the event.

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---------------Et l'occident est prié de fermer sa gueule:

Coupe Davis: la Suède jouera à huis clos son match contre Israël

REUTERS | 18.02.2009 |

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - La Suède jouera à huis clos, pour raisons de sécurité, son match de premier tour de Coupe Davis contre Israël, rapporte l'agence de presse TT mercredi.

La décision a été votée par le conseil municipal de Malmö, où la rencontre est programmée du 6 au 8 mars, dans le stade Balstika Hallen fort de 4.000 places.

Les autorités locales craindraient des incidents à la suite des tensions exacerbées par l'offensive israélienne menée au mois de janvier dans la bande de Gaza, qui a fait 1.300 morts côté palestinien.

La joueuse de tennis israélienne Shahar Peer s'est vue refuser un visa pour jouer cette semaine le tournoi de tennis de Doubaï, aux Emirats arabes unis.

Les organisateurs de l'événement ont dit redouter des manifestations hostiles ou un boycottage du tournoi.

La Fédération internationale de tennis a déploré la décision de Malmö "qui privera les fans de tennis suédois de l'occasion de voir s'affronter deux équipes du groupe mondial", tout en disant avoir accepté à regret cette décision, "pour cette fois".