While the World Tennis Association (WTA) caves to Arab pressure and allows the Sony Ericcson Tour to continue to be played in Dubai, even after the UAE violated the WTA's written policy by denying a visa to Israeli tennis player Shaharr Peer, there is still something to be done.BOYCOTT SONY ERICSSON and call their Investor Relations / PR people and tell them why!
Follow the money. Without Sony Ericsson's sponsorship dollars, there IS no tennis tour. Putting pressure on the UAE is useless, and the WTA itself has already proved to have neither morals nor balls (no pun intended).
CALL
Sony Ericsson Global Communications and PR
Aldo Liguori (London) +44 20 8762 5860
Merran Wrigley (London) +44 20 8762 5862
Simone Bresi-Ando (London) +44 20 8762 5863
IN THE U.S.:
North America Corporate Communications
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Inc.
7001 Development Drive
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 USA
Telephone: 919/472-1400 (EST time zone)
press.america@sonyericsson.com
Drew Crowell
GolinHarris for Sony Ericsson
972/341-2581
dcrowell@golinharris.com
Liz Edelbrock
GolinHarris for Sony Ericsson
972/341-2598
ledelbrock@golinharris.com
Reference the following story from CNN:
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- The United Arab Emirates has refused to grant a visa to a female Israeli tennis player, preventing her from competing in the Sony Ericsson World Tennis Association Tour in Dubai, the WTA said in a statement Sunday.
The move runs counter to WTA policy, which says no player should be barred from competing in a tournament for which she has qualified.
"We are deeply disappointed by the decision of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) denying Shahar Peer a visa that would permit her to enter the country to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships," said Larry Scott, chairman and chief executive of the tour.
"Ms. Peer has earned the right to play in the tournament and it is regrettable that the UAE is denying her this right.
"Following various consultations, the Tour has decided to allow the tournament to continue to be played this week, pending further review by the Tour's Board of Directors.
"Ms. Peer and her family are obviously extremely upset and disappointed by the decision of the UAE and its impact on her personally and professionally, and the Tour is reviewing appropriate remedies for Ms. Peer, and also will review appropriate future actions with regard to the future of the Dubai tournament," Scott said.
"The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour believes very strongly, and has a clear rule and policy, that no host country should deny a player the right to compete at a tournament for which she has qualified by ranking."
1 comment:
I was furious when I read that Peer was denied a visa. I became even more angry (actually disillusioned) when its not mentioned on the Sony Ericsson WTA tournament website. I will never buy Sony again. Obviously, Dubai is unfit to host such events. By continuing the tournament, Sony rewards intolerance. By buying Sony so do we, so don't do it. Thanks for the post.
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