Martina Navratilova has blasted Australian Open organisers for banning T-shirts supporting Chinese player Peng Shuai.
Security staff in Melbourne on Sunday asked a spectator to take off a T-shirt saying “Where is Peng Shuai?”.
Peng disappeared after accusing a top Chinese official of sexual misconduct in November.
Tennis Australia said Peng Shuai’s safety remained their “primary concern”, but defended their decision to confiscate the T-shirt and banner in a statement.
“Under our ticket conditions of entry, we don’t allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political,” it said.
But Navratilova let loose in a tweet, called the decision “pathetic.”
French player Nicolas Mahut suggested organisers were pressured into action by corporate Chinese sponsors.
The incident sparked the creation of a Gofundme page that reached over AU $10,000 today.
