MIAMI: The Dubai Championships was fined a record $300,000 by the governing body of women's tennis (WTA) on Friday after top Israeli player Shahar Peer was barred from taking part in the event.
The WTA said in a statement that the fine was largest ever levied against a WTA Tour member and that Peer would be awarded $44,250, an amount equal to the average prize money she earned per tournament in 2008.
"The actions taken are intended to redress the wrongs suffered by Shahar Peer, who was victimised by an unjust policy of discrimination by the UAE," WTA chief Larry Scott said in a statement.
"These actions are also intended to send a clear message that our Tour will not tolerate discrimination of any kind and that we will never allow this situation to happen again in the UAE or elsewhere."
The UAE, like most Arab countries, has no diplomatic ties with Israel and routinely denies entry to Israelis.