Australian Open officials reverse ban on Peng Shuai shirts following backlash

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Australian Open officials have reversed their decision to ban shirts supporting Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai just days after a group of fans was told they could not wear or display anything making a political statement, prompting widespread backlash. 

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley told The Associated Press that fans at Melbourne Park will now be allowed to wear the shirts that read "Where is Peng Shuai?" as long as they don’t gather in large, disruptive groups.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN UNDER FIRE AFTER ASKING FANS TO REMOVE SHIRTS CRITICIZING CHINA OVER PENG SHUAI

"If they want to do that, that’s fine," he said in a phone interview. "If anyone’s coming on site with the express intent of disrupting the comfort and safety of our fans, they’re not welcome."

Two spectators wearing "Where is Peng Shuai?" T-shirts, referring to the former doubles world number one from China, are pictured in the stands on day nine of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan. 25, 2022. (PAUL CROCK/AFP via Getty Images)

He continued: "We can’t sell tickets in advance and have people come in and feel unsafe because there’s a large group of people that are using (the tournament) as a platform to espouse their views on whatever topic it is."

Videos posted to social media over the weekend appeared to show security at the Australian Open confiscating a banner supporting Peng because it was seen as making a political statement, an apparent violation of the tournament’s rules. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Australian human rights campaigner Drew Pavlou (L) is pictured wearing a "Where is Peng Shuai?" T-shirt, referring