JERUSALEM — The Dubai Tennis Championships will pay a record fine over the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) refusal to award a visa to an Israeli player.

The heads of the tournament agreed recently to pay a record $300,000 (US) fine after the World Tennis Association (WTA) turned down Dubai’s appeal.

The UAE, which consists of Dubai and six other emirates, rejected Israeli tennis champion Shahar Peer’s request for a visa just days before the start of the tournament and shortly before she planned to travel to the UAE in February.

The WTA also will require organizers of the Dubai tournament to ensure Israeli players who qualify for the event receive their visas at least eight weeks ahead of the 2010 event.