Clare Daly has hit out at the Wimbledon spectators who booed Belarusian Victoria Azarenka at the tournament.
Azarenka was booed off the court after losing against Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the fourth round of Wimbledon on Sunday.
The Belarusian had to play as a neutral athlete due to her country's involvement in the Russian invasion. She won the first set but then lost in a third set tiebreaker to Svitolina, who had the bulk of the crowd behind her as she collapsed to the ground following her emotional win.
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Azarenka knew no handshake was coming and immediately left Court 1 but was booed by sections of the crowd. She turned round and shook her head, seemingly in disbelief, before making a gesture by banging her fists together, perhaps suggesting her hands were tied.
MEP Clare Daly took to social media to hit out at the people who booed Azarenka, calling them "pathetic" as she sent solidarity to the tennis star.
She tweeted: "How Pathetic! Bullying a young sportswoman who is no more responsible for Ukraine war than her opponent. Sport has always been the great leveller, stop politicising it. Let athletes be athletes. Solidarity with Victoria Azarenka."
The two-time Grand Slam champion has previously condemned the war and the leader of Belarus, stating: “I don’t support war, which means I don’t support (Alexander) Lukashenko right now.” Nevertheless the tension that exists as a result of the invasion in Ukraine has heightened emotions.
Svitolina wasn't quizzed on the boos following the match but did underline her happiness having been beaten by Azarenka's compatriot, Aryna Sabalenka, at the French Open several weeks ago.
She said: "I think after giving birth to our daughter this is the second happiest moment in my life. When I was down in the second set I heard you guys cheering for me and I almost wanted to cry.
"It was really tough for me because I wasn't playing my best, I was really struggling but I really wanted to win today. You guys gave me so much strength today. You were really unbelievable."
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