Sydney, Australia (CNN)At the Australian Open, people are allowed to wear t-shirts that say “Where’s Peng Shuai?” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday.
His comments come days after security forces broke up a small protest in support of the Chinese tennis player, where protesters unfurled a banner reading “Where’s Peng Shuai?” and also wore T-shirts with the slogan.
Guards first confiscated the banner on Friday, which they later returned, telling protesters they could stay if they covered their T-shirts.
Tiley told AFP that people are allowed to wear the shirts “as long as they don’t come as a mob to disturb, but are peaceful.”
He added that some people came with a banner and two big poles, which is still not allowed.
“If you come to watch tennis, that’s fine, but we can’t allow someone to cause a disruption at the end of the day,” he told AFP.
CNN has reached out to Tennis Australia for comment but has not yet received a response.
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“Tennis Australia’s words have no meaning anymore”
Max Mok, one of three people involved in the protest, told CNN on Tuesday that he and another protester shouted 1,000 “Where’s Peng Shuai?” T-shirts that they want to give away for free at the tournament on Saturday.
“Tennis Australia’s words stopped meaning anything three days ago, but we will keep them honest, we will keep them on their promise,” Mox told CNN.
On Saturday, CNN Affiliate Channel 7 reported a response from the tournament organizer, which read, “Per our ticket terms and conditions, we do not allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political.”
It added, “Peng Shuai’s safety is our primary concern. We continue to work with the WTA and the global tennis community to gain more clarity on her situation and will do everything we can to ensure her wellbeing.”
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