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Wimbledon Chiefs are not so pleased with WTA Women’s tour decision to fine the All England Club for their decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s tournament. Hence, they have decided to appeal against the series of fines imposed by international authorities totaling $ 1 million.
Wimbledon Chief Executive Sally Bolton said an appeal will be lodged. “It's subject to a legal process so I can't comment specifically but what I will say is that we stand by the decision we made," said Bolton. "We have appealed. We thought long and hard about our decision," added Bolton. “It was difficult and challenging and we thought about the ramifications. But it was the right decision for us.”
Notably, WTA has secretly fined the Lawn Tennis Association and the All England Club £620,000 and £207,000 respectively as a punishment for excluding Russian and Belarusian players from the warm-up tournaments in Eastbourne, Nottingham, and Birmingham. The WTA and ATP also stripped the event of ranking points.
While the All England club looks all set to appeal against the $1 million fine imposed, they have a few obstacles in their way to the court. Sportsmail reported that the WTA will only permit an appeal once the fine has been paid in full, leaving the British authorities no option but to shell out over £827,000 before they can mount their defense.
The LTA and Wimbledon should be praised: Nadine Dorries
Reacting to this fine imposed by WTA, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said that Wimbledon and LTA should be praised for their decision to stand by Ukraine. 'Since February the vast majority of the international sporting community have come together in solidarity to condemn Putin's barbaric actions in Ukraine,' Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries told Sportsmail.
“Regrettably, the international tennis federations appear determined to be outcasts in this. The LTA and Wimbledon should be praised for their move to make Russia an international sporting pariah, and doing what is right in the current circumstances,” he added.