Australian Open under fire after asking fans to remove shirts criticizing China over Peng Shuai

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

Australian Open organizers came under fire after a video posted to social media over the weekend showed fans being asked to remove shirts that referenced Chinese doubles player Peng Shuai, who disappeared momentarily from the public eye in November after she accused a former top Communist Party official of sexual assault. 

Security at Melbourne Park was seen confiscating shirts and a banner that read "Where is Peng Shuai?" in a video posted to TikTok on Saturday, according to ESPN. 

FAN EJECTED AFTER FIGHT BREAKS OUT AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN 

Police were eventually called to the scene and one officer can reportedly be heard saying "The Australian Open does have a rule that you can't have political slogans ... it's a rule that it's a condition of entry."

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai signs large-sized tennis balls at the opening ceremony of Fila Kids Junior Tennis Challenger Final in Beijing, China, on Nov. 21, 2021.

Tennis Australia issued a statement in response to the video saying that while Peng’s safety is "our primary concern," fans are not allowed to politically protest at the tournament.

"Under our ticket conditions of entry we don't allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political," the statement read, via Reuters. "Peng Shuai's safety is our primary concern. We continue to work with the WTA and global tennis community to seek more clarity on her situation and will do everything we can to ensure her well-being."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Peng, 35, made headlines in November when she wrote a lengthy post on Chinese social media platform Weibo that alleged former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli forced