Ram: Decision to ban crowd in Sweden-Israel match is 'stupid'

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israeli tennis player Andy Ram said Swedish authorities made a "stupid decision" when they chose to ban Davis Cup fans from attending the best-of-five series between the two countries. Ram, one of the players embroiled in an international controversy last month over entry into the United Arab Emirates, said Tuesday that the decision to play the first round series in Malmo between Israel and Sweden in an empty stadium could inspire other countries to follow suit. "I think it was a wrong decision. I think it maybe can open the door for other countries [to] make a stupid decision like this one," Ram said. "I think it's going to be very bad to play without a crowd." Israeli player Shahar Pe'er was denied entry into the UAE for the Dubai Tennis Championships last month. After an international outcry against the decision, Ram was allowed to play in the men's tournament the following week.