The Australian
Open has allowed fans to wear “Where is Peng Shuai?” shirts as long as they are
peaceful after the tournament faced backlash for its stance over the issue. The
decision comes after a video surfaced on Sunday, showing security staff
directing fans to remove shirts and banners in support of the Chinese player.

Tennis
Australia had on Monday emphasised on its policy of “not allowing banners, signs
or clothing that are commercial or political”, news agency AFP reported.
However, Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said ‘Where is Peng Shuai’ shirts
will be allowed as long as spectators are peaceful.

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 “Yes, as long as they are not coming as a mob to be disruptive but are peaceful,” Tiley told AFP, adding security staff will make a case-by-case assessment.

The Grand
Slam was widely criticised for stopping small protests against the alleged mistreatment of Peng by the Chinese government, with tennis legend Martina
Navratilova calling it “pathetic”.

While Peng has made public appearances, there are concerns that the former doubles
world number one is not free. Peng levelled allegations of sexual harassment on
a former Chinese vice-premier during a lengthy relationship.

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The Chinese
government censored her allegations, nearly wiping her presence off the country’s
restricted internet and the 36-year-old was not heard from in nearly three weeks,
prompting fears for her wellbeing in the tennis community.

“It’s all
been a bit lost in translation from some people who are not here and don’t
really know the full view,” Tiley said. “The situation in the last couple of days is that
some people came with a banner on two large poles and we can’t allow that.”

“If you are
coming to watch the tennis that’s fine, but we can’t allow anyone to cause a
disruption at the end of the day,” he added.