Sheikh Mo exposed in ban of Israeli tennis player

[Kasept]

Haven't had a chance to get into Sheikh Mo's personal involvement in Dubai's refusing Isreali tennis player Shahar Peer entry into the UAE for the WTA tournament there this week. It exposes the 'enlightened' despot for what he, and his 'desert paradise' really are. The reaction to this has been pretty loud everywhere except in the racing trades. The whole scenario can repeat itself next week when Israeli racquet star Andy Ram is due to play in the men's version of the Dubai Duty Free.

There has always been a silent undertone to Dubai's anti-Semitic position around racing. Jewish connections have gone over for World Cup because the DWC wants the horses there. And of course Sheikh Mo has no problem buying horses from jewish owners. Maybe keeping Shahar Peer out of this touney is Mo's response to Frankel sticking him for $12,000,000 for Vineyard Haven.


Israeli Star Rips Arab Ban

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02172009...uet_155592.htm

Peer, 21, was set to fly into the United Arab Emirates Sunday for a Women's Tennis Association tournament, until she was informed Saturday night that she would not be granted a visa.



Sponsors, Tennis Channel turn back on Dubai Tourney

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ten...-visa-row.html

The Wall Street Journal Europe said they were revoking their sponsorship because their editorial philosophy was “free markets and free people”. The newspaper’s move followed a decision by the Tennis Channel not to televise the event. However, another of the sponsors, Barclays Bank, said they would not be following suit.



WTA could drop Dubai

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ten...used-visa.html

The draw for the hard-court tournament, which features most of the world's leading players, had already been made. "We thought about cancelling the tournament on the spot," Scott told Telegraph Sport, and the American also suggested that the event is at risk of being dropped from next year's calendar.