The Australian Open has been blasted over the Peng Shuai T-shirt controversy after it emerged Tennis Australia has a lucrative $100million sponsorship deal with a Chinese liquor company.
Footage emerged over the weekend of tournament security guards ordering a spectator to remove a shirt that read 'Where is Peng Shuai?' on the back.
Shuai, a Chinese tennis player, disappeared for three weeks and then recanted her claims after accusing one of the communist country's senior politicians of rape.
TA defended the shirt ban on Sunday, saying it 'does not allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political' at the Grand Slam.
However Sydney radio host Ben Fordham accused organisers of trying to protect their bank balance, pointing to the open's five-year sponsorship deal with Chinese liquor brand Luzhou Laojiao.
An Australian Open fan has been forced to remove a shirt expressing welfare concerns for tennis star Peng Shuai who disappeared after accusing a senior Chinese politician of rape
The deal is one of the biggest in the tournament's history, with the open renaming a court inside Melbourne Park's 1573 Arena after one of Luzhou's signature products.
'The Australian Open tennis has the largest Chinese sponsorship deal in history,' Fordham said on his 2GB radio show on Monday.
'They don’t want to jeopardise the deal or the money.'
The video has drawn criticism from overseas as well, with Human Rights Watch in New York also making the connection to the sponsorship deal.
'Tennis Australia is preventing spectators at the Australian Open from wearing "Where is Peng Shuai?" T-shirts. One of the Australian Open’s "major commercial partners is Chinese premium liquor brand Guojiao 1573," HRW director Kenneth Roth wrote on Twitter.
The five-year deal, reported to be worth $100million, was signed in 2018.
The southern Chinese company took up advertising space from Victorian winemaking giant Jacob's Creek - the tournament's previous partner.
Luzhou Laojiao is known for its liquors made from Baijiu - a Chinese grain-based spirit dubbed 'firewater' for its sharp and powerful odour.
Daily Mail Australia put a list of questions to Tennis Australia.
Australia's Alex de Minaur is pictured playing a third round match on Saturday night at the Australian Open's 1573 Arena; the signage is pictured lining the court. The arena is named after one of Luzhou's signature products
The Australian Open renamed a court inside Melbourne Park's 1573 Arena after one of Luzhou's signature products (pictured)
The criticism came after the footage of security guards and police demanding a spectator remove her shirt at Melbourne Park went viral.
The activist's shirt had a photo of Peng's face and 'wanted' printed on the front.
The man filming the confrontation can be heard asking the guard 'what do you suggest she wear?' after the woman was ordered to take off her clothing.
Instead of answering the question, the guard asks the man to also remove a similar shirt.
A police officer then approaches and informs the pair that guests aren't allowed to take 'political slogans' into the tennis tournament.
'This isn't a political message,' the male activist responds.
'This isn't saying vote for the
