WTA Chairman Steve Simon has announced the immediate withdrawal of all WTA tournaments from China, including Hong Kong. It comes after Chinese tennis star, Peng Shuai, accused a former government official of sexual assault. Since then, the post has been removed and the Chinese government has made every possible attempt to silence her and shut down the accusations. Steve Simon has taken a firm line so far, and has now pulled the plug on all tournaments in China.
WTA Suspends All Tournaments in China
Since the allegations made by Peng Shuai have been public knowledge, there has been growing worry around the globe for her safety. No one has been able to contact her, and the government have done their best to present her as safe and healthy.
These attempts have not convinced anyone of her safety or her right to speak out on what happened to her. It has simply made the world more and more concerned for her wellbeing.
In the videos of her being “safe”, there is no mention of the allegations or anything related to it. This on top of the clearly fake email that was sent by her claiming the allegations were untrue only adds to the growing suspicions around the situation.
Steve Simon has had enough of this attempt at coercion by the government;
“In good conscience, I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault.”
Here is WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon’s full statement on the WTA’s decision to suspend WTA tournaments in China and Hong Kong. pic.twitter.com/wPymCEbVAl
— Alicia Jessop (@RulingSports) December 1, 2021
This is a developing story, and we will be updating this article as more information becomes available.
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