World Players Association Statement on Peng Shuai

The global player association movement is deeply concerned for the health and safety of Peng Shuai. Players who speak out are frequently targeted and left exposed to harm and abuse without protection or support, and that must end.

The global sport community including the International Olympic Committee has a responsibility to exercise its significant leverage and influence to protect athletes. It must act quickly and decisively to ensure Peng Shuai’s safety. This means demanding that China unequivocally demonstrates that Peng Shuai is and has at all times been safe and investigates the sexual assault allegations.

We join players around the world, the PTPA, WTA and human rights defenders in calling for Peng Shuai to be free from harm.

World Players supports the urgent establishment of a special delegation of international organisations and human rights experts to China to ascertain and guarantee Peng Shuai’s whereabouts and wellbeing.

#WhereisPengShuai

Related news

Iran: Letter to IOC re Iranian athletes facing political execution

Iran: Letter to IOC re Iranian athletes facing political execution

Urgent IOC action required to protect Iranian athletes facing political execution The Sport & Rights Alliance has written to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding boxer and coach Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani who is at risk of imminent execution amid an ongoing horrifying escalation of executions in Iran. Read the full letter below. **Update: On […]

READ MORE

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, hands the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy to President Donald Trump during an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Washington.

World Cup 2026: FIFA Needs to Act on Human Rights

As FIFA Awards “Peace Prize,” Coalition Calls for Concrete Protections for Workers, Athletes, Fans, Journalists, and Children (Washington, DC, December 3, 2025) – FIFA, the international soccer governing body, needs to match its lofty rhetoric on rights with concrete action, a coalition of human rights organizations, trade unions, and fans groups said today. FIFA is […]

READ MORE

Breaking: Algerian court upholds seven-year prison sentence against French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes in appalling decision

Breaking: Algerian court upholds seven-year prison sentence against French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes in appalling decision

On 3 December, the Tizi Ouzou Court of Appeal upheld the seven-year prison sentence handed down to French journalist Christophe Gleizes, prolonging proceedings that have already lasted 18 months. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the journalist’s support committee express their outrage at this ruling against an experienced, highly recognised media professional who was simply doing […]

READ MORE

Related resources

Episode 3: “Sometimes We Can’t See”

Episode 3: “Sometimes We Can’t See”

Understanding the data on abuse in sports Watch the third and final episode of our research series on violence in sports: “Sometimes We Can’t See.” In this video, we explore why violence is often normalized in sport – and why it’s so hard for athletes, coaches and others to recognise when they see it, when […]

READ MORE

“It’s often still dangerous for athletes to speak out.”

“It’s often still dangerous for athletes to speak out.”

Workshop Recap: Athletes as Human Rights Defenders The Athletes Network for Safer Sports held a workshop on June 27th on the topic of “Athletes as Human Rights Defenders.” Moderated by Network Coordinator Joanna Maranhão, the session explored what athletes face when they speak up for human rights and what practical measures should be put in […]

READ MORE

Join the Network

Sport has the potential to be a catalyst for human development, unity, and freedom, but too often it instead brings harm to its athletes, fans, and communities. We exist to uncover and rectify the many abuses that exist both in and around sport. We aim to transform sports into an authentic force for good.