‘Oh Jeremy Corbyn’? It’s just not tennis, say tournament chiefs
IT SEEMS an unlikely thing to happen amid the genteel environs of SW19, but then it’s already been a summer of unlikely outcomes.
Which may explain why the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has taken steps to prevent any displays of Corbynmania, or any other political expression, during Wimbledon.
The tournament’s organisers have issued a strict ban on political slogans during the fortnight, which opens on Monday. After all, the last thing they want is for cries of “Oh Jeremy Corbyn” to ring out across Centre Court.
Among the rules issued for spectators by the AELTC in the run-up to the championships is one prohibiting “any objects or clothing bearing political statements”. A warning sign stating “No political slogans!” is on display at the entrance gates to the grounds.
An AELTC spokeswoman said: “We wouldn’t want people to use this kind of event as a platform for their specific views or causes.”
The rule is aimed principally at barring spectators wearing political slogans on T-shirts, or brandishing flags and banners with slogans. But officials have said match umpires would intervene if any political chanting occurs, initially by calling for “quiet please” in their characteristically firm manner. Should that fail, stewards would get involved, with any persistent protesters likely to be ejected.
Mr Corbyn has been invited to watch from the royal box, alongside other political figures and celebrities, although it is not yet known on which day.
The club is keen to avoid any hint of the scenes witnessed at last month’s Glastonbury festival, when the chant was taken up by thousands of revellers as the Labour leader addressed crowds from the main Pyramid Stage.
But there are already suggestions that some of those attending Wimbledon, particularly the younger spectators queuing overnight, may be planning to show their support for him. And social media users have voiced their relish at the prospect of Centre Court ringing with the chant.
Ryan Murray, a Twitter user from Swansea, wrote: “It would make my life if the ‘ohhhhhhh Jeremy Corbyn’ chant became the soundtrack of this year’s Wimbledon.”
Medical student Mouad Elhmaidi, said: “Why I am looking forward to Wimbledon: Hearing Jeremy Corbyn chants in the stands.”
Although rare, there have been political protests at Wimbledon in the past. In 2011, a group of Spanish activists from the anti-austerity 15-M movement were prevented from entering the grounds, where they were planning to stage a protest during one of Rafael Nadal’s matches.