Wimbledon is still ‘worried about Russian propaganda’

Wimbledon remains concerned Russian and Belarusian leaders might look to use success of their nations’ players in this year’s championship as propaganda. Tournament directors took the decision to let Russians and Belarusians to compete at Wimbledon after the All England Club (AELTC) reversed last year’s ban.

Any Russians or Belarusians playing at Wimbledon must sign declarations indicating their neutrality.

Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton said that was intended to reduce “as much as possible” the chance of their nations capitalising on any success. “Propaganda? That remains somewhat of a concern.”, he said.

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Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has described the U-turn by Wimbledon as “immoral” and called on the UK government to deny visas for Russian and Belarusian players.

“Has Russia ceased its aggression or atrocities? No, it’s just that Wimbledon decided to accommodate two accomplices in crime,” he wrote on Twitter.