Mens Tennis Forums banner

If UAE refuses visa for Andy Ram in Dubai, what action should the ATP take?

  • No action

    Votes: 39 28.7%
  • Cancel this year

    Votes: 42 30.9%
  • Cancel next year

    Votes: 51 37.5%
  • Other

    Votes: 4 2.9%
Status
Not open for further replies.

The Israeli players / Dubai controversy

36K views 888 replies 135 participants last post by  scoobs 
#1 ·
#2 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

"This is where the story gets significantly more muddled. I can’t get into all the details yet, but in essence, suggestions were raised that the tournament did not want the Israelis to play there and that on the eve of the event the ATP failed to provide the assurances the players needed, among them extra security and a formal letter of invitation from the government of Dubai.

(...)

Fuel was added to their silence when I became aware of documentation showing, among other things, that part of their camp had demanded a large sum of money from the ATP, the Dubai tournament and its sponsors, as well as the cancellation of the Dubai tournament. Threats were made to bring the entire mess to the media. "
 
#3 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Kudos to Doug Robson for putting a spotlight on this story when others won't. I hope he stays on it until the complete truth comes out.
 
#5 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

I thought I had read somewhere that Dubai would let Israeli tennis players in.
 
#6 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

The first article is one I haven't read yet - VERY interesting.

Our security services probably advised them not to go, but they advise everyone not to go, the entire middle east is under severe travel alerts for Israelis, including all the countries we have peace agreements with.

Having said that, if they were in a position where no one told them that "Okay, you get to the airport and present your Israeli passport and you could go through, no problems" - it is small wonder they chose to skip it, and in that case the ATP failed to meet their end of the bargine.

Additionally, special security for Israeli playing in the middle east is something that must come hand in hand with the permission to enter the country, having one without the other is useless. It is a package deal.
 
#8 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Thanks for posting these articles. I was curious myself and had speculated a teeny bit on their forum about it. I have a feeling my speculation may have been dead on.
 
#10 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

If it is the case that Dubai has failed to fulfill the assurances they made to the ATP, then this tournament needs to be pulled off the schedule. Of course, the ATP doesn't want that to happen, so it looks like they will manipulate history and make it look like 'world events' precluded Andyoni from going there. Shameful.
 
#12 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

If it is the case that Dubai has failed to fulfill the assurances they made to the ATP, then this tournament needs to be pulled off the schedule. Of course, the ATP doesn't want that to happen, so it looks like they will manipulate history and make it look like 'world events' precluded Andyoni from going there. Shameful.
I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the ATP Tour to do right by Andy and Yoni. The players have the power to make Dubai pay the price for this, but they won't.
 
#11 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

The problem is that to call the ATP bluff Andy and Yoni need to get on a plane and attempt to enter Dubai, hope for the best.

The idea of them being stuck in an airport in Dubai without being able to enter the country is not exactly one that would make them hop on a plane.
 
#13 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

The problem is that to call the ATP bluff Andy and Yoni need to get on a plane and attempt to enter Dubai, hope for the best.

The idea of them being stuck in an airport in Dubai without being able to enter the country is not exactly one that would make them hop on a plane.
The best scenario was just being stuck in an airport. Being arrested would be a legitimate fear.
 
#14 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

as long as the country's "habits" are as shady as they come, players should boycott the tournament, period. but who am i kidding, that's not gonna happen anyways. while i understand journeymen showing up to some extent, i don't get why roger or nadal feel like this is one of the tournament they constantly have to attend.
 
#15 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

as long as the country's "habits" are as shady as they come, players should boycott the tournament, period. but who am i kidding, that's not gonna happen anyways. while i understand journeymen showing up to some extent, i don't get why roger or nadal feel like this is one of the tournament they constantly have to attend.

Appearnace fees that are worth more than winning the tournament? Not to mention Dubai is Roger's second home.
 
#17 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Reading that article confirmed in me a decision... If I ever fly to South Asia/Australia, I will never ever go via Dubai, doesn't matter if it may be the fastest/least expensive tour. Rather I'd pay some more money or fly a bit longer than going via Dubai.

It's a shame Andy and Joni can't choose the tournaments themselves, where they want to play.

I'd love to see Dubai excluded out of the ATP-calender.

I agree with Rrrainer btw about the boycott of the players.
 
#18 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Dubai needs to lose the event. There is NO excuse not to punish them.

The ATP has really lost all credibility, this is just another in a long list of blunders. We need to write the ATP and the sponsors and protest all of this.
 
#312 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Dubai needs to lose the event. There is NO excuse not to punish them.

The ATP has really lost all credibility, this is just another in a long list of blunders. We need to write the ATP and the sponsors and protest all of this.
Shouldn't the PGA Tour dump their Dubai event as well?
 
#19 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Shahar Peer played in Doha this year, didn't she. I remember reading an interview by Erlich and Ram after they won AO this year, saying they were willing to play in Dubai if things go well. Pity it didn't happen.
 
#20 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Doha is a bit more lax about Israelies entering than than the UAE.

Andy and Yoni wanted to play there, but without an official invitation letter, it really would not have been worth it.

I trust Andy 'big mouth' Ram to talk to the Israeli media about it eventually.
 
#22 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

thats pretty ridiculous especially that 80% of people living there are not arab.

Who wants to go to Dubai anyway? It's just like a giant mall with no culture at all. Would definately not waste my money on a trip like that.

But the only reason im not for boycotting the tourney is coz the country has a huge diversitly of nationalities so there will always be some real tennis fans there.
 
#23 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Dubai will never lose this tournament. In Dubai all big sports events will take place in the future. It's the metropolis of the future. I mean you have to understand the UAE. It's one of the few countries in the world without any problems. You never hear anything negative. So why should they risk anything? We all know if Israelis would play in Dubai some arab countries and newspapers will start to write and speak negative of Dubai.
 
#24 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Bilbo, theres no reason y anyone should speak negatively of Dubai for letting ISraeli athletes enter. And if they do, its extreme and extremists are never right
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sunset of Age
#27 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

There is so much money in Dubai, pity there isn't equality too.
No, not at all. Even worse - there are a lot of people from abroad (Chinese, Indians, etc.) over there doing all the REAL hard work - and it's no secret they get treated pretty bad by the Arabs ruling the place very often.
 
#28 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Dunno about that.. I know lots of foreigner who are happy working there but money talks FOR SURE...They even treat us bad when they come here. With their big cars and their cigars! :(
 
#29 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

Dunno about that.. I know lots of foreigner who are happy working there but money talks FOR SURE...They even treat us bad when they come here. With their big cars and their cigars! :(
Well, there have been quite a few reports of foreign helpers in house having been treated like slaves, as well as foreign building constructors and the like. Thing is, as long as everything goes well and they are properly payed (as you say... Money Talks...) it's all okay, but they have no social rights whatsoever - when they get fired, or otherwise into trouble, they are into BIG trouble indeed.

Would like to come up with some links about this matter, hope I will soon.
 
#30 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

I thought u were refering to foreigners who are well payed. Would be interesting to know if that happens often.
 
#34 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

If there was a tourn in Israel i dont think any Arab player would be allowed to enter either
if they were, they'd probably get strip-searched, hand-cuffed to and from venue :rolleyes:
Then you should know you are wrong, my friend :)

I would like to know where you've got that impression from.
 
#38 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

no the players or fans can do a damm thing about it, try not to waste ur time discussing what should had been done about it.
dubai has influence, money and the support of many diplomates and athletes as well.
or, its just a waste of time. no matter what-nothing will be done about it. end of discussion.
 
#40 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

no the players or fans can do a damm thing about it, try not to waste ur time discussing what should had been done about it.
dubai has influence, money and the support of many diplomates and athletes as well.
or, its just a waste of time. no matter what-nothing will be done about it. end of discussion.
If we can't change it, we shouldn't talk about it?

I don't get your logic.

(I wrote a longer reply in Tapuz, check it out)
 
#44 ·
Re: Were Israelis Erlich and Ram denied entrance to Dubai?

it's amazing that people on mtf actually think it's "nice" of the uae to let this or that group enter. wow. how nice of arabs to not keep jews from entering their country.

i hope the ones who kindly allow some well-known tennis players from israel to take part in a sports tournament on their soil one day get nominated for the nobel peace price. such nice fellas down there.

:rolleyes:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top