Australian Open officials ask fans to remove T-shirts with slogan 'Where is Peng Shuai?'

23.01.2022 - 06:21 / espn.com

MELBOURNE, Australia — Fans at the Australian Open were asked by security to remove T-shirts featuring the slogan «Where is Peng Shuai?» which references the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Chinese former tennis player's well-being and whereabouts.

In November, Peng, the former world No. 14 singles player and part of a No. 1 doubles tandem, took to social media platform Weibo and accused Chinese Communist Party member Zhang Gaoli of pressuring her into sex. In the weeks following the post, Peng disappeared from social media, sparking concerns over her safety and ability to communicate freely with the rest of the world.

On Saturday, a TikTok user uploaded a video in which fans at the Australian Open were approached by security and asked to remove the shirts with the slogan on them. A banner was also seen in the hands of member of security.

In the video, police later arrived at the scene and confirmed the security crew's position. An officer is heard saying: «The Australian Open does have a rule that you can't have political slogans… it's a rule that it's a condition of entry.

»Tennis Australia does set the rules, and regardless of what you're saying — and I'm not saying you can't have those views — but I am saying that Tennis Australia sets the rules here.

"[Security is] allowed to confiscate the shirts and the banner."

The video received widespread attention on the posting platform Reddit and was viewed 52,000 times on TikTok.

In a statement provided to ESPN from Tennis Australia, the organization said its «primary concern» is the safety of Peng Shuai, but added that fans are not allowed to bring onto the grounds or display political statements at the tournament.

«Under our ticket conditions of entry we don't allow