ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The WTA Tour has fined Dubai Championships organizers a record $300,000 after Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer was denied a visa by the United Arab Emirates.
The WTA also took steps on Friday to compensate Peer and ensure she and other Israeli players won't be shut out of future tournaments in the Emirates.
Organizers said at the time that they feared fan anger over Israel's recent military offensive in the Gaza Strip would spill into riots in the Persian Gulf country if Peer were to play.
Part of the fine will go to Peer and doubles partner Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany to make up for the prize money they could have won at the lucrative tournament.
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