- Jewish Association CEO says Open doesn't enforce rules
- Fans seen at Melbourne Park wearing pro-Palestine t-shirts
The Australian Open has been accused of being soft on pro-Palestinian protesters who are clearly breaking tournament rules at this year's event at Melbourne Park.
Earlier in the week, Australian Open director Craig Tiley declared that anyone flying a banned flag at the Grand Slam would be expelled from the venue or arrested by police.
The rules extend to anyone who “displays material intended to disturb, offend, defame or which is political in nature.”
However, photos have emerged from this week's event of fans wearing t-shirts with pro-Palestinian messages.
Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said this was an obvious breach of rules set by officials.
“The rules should apply equally to everyone,” he said. News Corporation.
Australian Jewish Association head Robert Gregory condemned fans displaying pro-Palestine t-shirts at the Australian Open (pictured)
The rules state that anyone who flies a banned flag at the Grand Slam will be ejected from the venue and could be arrested (pictured is a 2024 Open protester)
'There should be no exception for Palestinian activists.
'Australians have faced anti-Israel protests and riots in our cities for over a year.
“The last place Australians want to see this is in tennis.”
In 2022, the Australian Open banned fans from wearing t-shirts with the slogan “Where is Peng Shuai?” – after concerns over player safety in China. The ban was eventually overturned due to public pressure.
The Australian Jewish Association raised the issue this week, stating: 'The Australian Open apparently has a rule prohibiting political slogans.
'They even imposed that on fans who supported Chinese player Peng Shuai.
“Not so when it comes to the 'Free Palestine' group.
The policy of the tournament is to only allow flags of the competing nations; however, Russian and Belarusian flags are prohibited regardless of who plays.
A protester threw flyers in support of a 'Free Palestine' during the Open 2024
Tiley says the Israeli flag would be allowed if there was an Israeli player competing at Melbourne Park.
“The ultimate goal is to make sure our fans are happy and provide them with a safe and enjoyable environment in which to watch tennis,” he said.
'And any time it is compromised, we will intervene.
“And that's why we make it very clear: if there is a player who is not from a country that is competing, they will not be welcome on site with a flag from any other country.”