Peng Shuai and Discord t -shirts at the Australian Open

"Where is Peng Shuai?"Neither in the tracks of the Australian Grand Slam nor in the stands, but in banners and in shirts that look in viralized hashtag a few months ago, after the disappearance of the Chinese champion after denouncing in November on their social networks that the former vice -first Chinese ministerZhang Gaoli forced her to have sex for a long time.

On Sunday, his fans were forced to withdraw them under pretext that the Australian Open "does not authorize clothing, flags or political banners," said a spokesman for the Australian Tennis Federation.

This was in a hurry to affirm that "the security of Peng Shuai" was his "main concern" and that he continued "working with the WTA and the world tennis community to achieve greater clarity about his situation" and that he will do "everything possible toensure your well -being ".

But Tennis Australia's decision caused the outrage of several tennis personalities, which has led to the focus further affecting those shirts.

"It is not a political message"

The American of Czech origin Martina Navratilova, legend of tennis with her 18 Grand Slam titles (in individual), described this "pathetic" decision on Twitter.

"I consider it a coward, it is not a political message, it is a message in favor of human rights," said Tennis Channel in the American television network.

The instance that governs the women's tennis circuit had annulled all its tournaments in China in December, claiming transparent investigation into the accusations of alleged rape of the player.

Pro Tip: Google How To Substitute Whole Wheat Flour For White Flour Before Starting, Not Halfway Through 😫

— Andy (helplessly gay) Sun Apr 26 14:26:07 +0000 2020

The Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, eliminated in the first round of the Double Tournament in Melbourne, also showed on Twitter his disagreement and outrage: "What a lack of courage! What would be if you did not have Chinese sponsors?".

The weight of sponsors?

The old number 1 of the world in double alluded to Luzhou Laojiao, Chinese alcohol brand, that one of the most important sponsors of the Australian Open for several years.

The track n.2, one of the five largest in Melbourne, renamed '1573 Arena' in tribute to the year in which the Chinese company was created.

In response to the prohibition of the organizers, the Australian militant in favor of human rights Drew Pavlou managed to gather 14.000 Australian dollars (more than 9.000 euros) on the Gofundme platform with the aim of printing the same shirts and distributing them to the spectators before the female final.

"We print 1.000 T-shirts and we'll see how many viewers can stop, "said Max Mok, a pro man militant, for ABC chain.

Asked Monday at a press conference, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that his country "was always against sports politicization".

The case exploded at the beginning of November, when Peng Shuai evoked in a message on the Chinese social network weibo - then erased - a "forced" sexual encounter with the former viceprimer Minister Zhang Gaoli, married and forty years older than her.

The old number 1 of the double world, which was not seen in public for several weeks, conducted an interview with the Singapore Lianhe Zaobao newspaper.

But the WTA maintained its "concern" as well as "serious doubts" about the freedom of movements of the tennis player.

The case of t -shirts in Melbourne adds a new chapter to the story of Peng Shuai.

© 2022 AFP