Dubai, United Arab Emarites ? Security worries led authorities to bar an Israeli woman from playing in a Dubai tennis tournament, organizers said Tuesday as a new showdown loomed between the Emirates’ hunger for big-time sports events and its stance on Mideast political tensions.

The statement from the Dubai Tennis Championships — citing fan anger over Israel’s recent military offensive in the Gaza Strip — was its first detailed defense since a visa was denied at the last minute for Shahar Peer, the 48th-ranked women’s player in the world.

But it also raised the potential for further uproar, since Israeli doubles player Andy Ram is seeking to compete in the men’s rounds next week.