Wimbledon may face legal action from Belarusian Tennis Federation over ban stance

Wimbledon have been warned they could face legal action from the Belarusian Tennis Federation (BTF) after tournament organisers unilaterally banned players from Russia and Belarus from playing at this year's competition.

It was announced on Wednesday that players from the two countries would not be allowed to enter the grounds at SW19 amid the war with Ukraine. The call was made to "send a clear signal to the Russian and Belarusian states that their actions in Ukraine are the subject of international condemnation".

"The continuing participation of Russian and Belarusian nationals at events risks providing a boost to these regimes when there is an unprecedented international effort to isolate them and sanction their actions," the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) added in a statement.

However, it is unlikely to be the end of the matter with legal action possible on behalf of those players affected. The BTF has now warned Wimbledon chiefs that it is consulting lawyers in a bid to "protects" its players, who would miss out on ranking points and prize money if they are not allowed to compete.

"The Belarusian Tennis Federation categorically condemns the decision taken by the organisers of Wimbledon to suspend Belarusian and Russian tennis players," said the body. "Such destructive actions in no way contribute to the resolution of conflicts, but only incite hatred and intolerance on a national basis.

"Throughout the history of tennis, armed conflicts have occurred in the world – in Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Yugoslavia and other countries – but never until now have tournament organisers suspended athletes from the United States, Great Britain and other countries. Illegal decisions of international tennis organisations in