Wimbledon, England ( Associated Press) – Four workers wearing T-shirts read “Where’s Peng Shuai?” On Monday, Wimbledon security stopped him and searched his bag.
Peng, a retired Chinese tennis player, last year accused a senior member of the ruling Communist Party of sexual abuse. He has made very few public appearances since then.
A similar situation happened with a man who wore a support shirt for Peng at the Australian Open. The spectators were removed from the venue, but the tournament later reversed its decision and allowed people to wear costumes, but without allowing them to gather in large groups or cause problems for other spectators.
Jason Leith of the Free Tibet organization said he and three of his colleagues put on their shirts after entering the All England club on Monday.
“We put them on and started walking and some people asked us for pictures, so we took pictures with people,” said Leith, who is British.
Leith said security officers contacted him shortly after when four men were walking under the big screen on Heineman Hill.
“They asked us: ‘Are you going to protest straight away? Do they intend to disrupt things?'” Leith said. “Later he asked: ‘Do you mind coming so that we can check your bags?
Leith said he was allowed to remain in the Grand Slam tournament and wear the jersey, but was asked not to approach other attendees to talk about Peng.
Wimbledon organizers said workers are welcome to stay on the field.
All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton indicated from day one of the tournament that they would allow spectators wearing T-shirts mentioning Peng.
