Fans of Novak Djokovic were detained in Australia because of the Russian flag, how the case ended, why they did it
“It’s time to stop Russophobia.” A new round of scandal around the Russian flag at the Australian Open
The family of Novak Djokovic was stubbornly detained in Russia, and Serb fans were released from the police, as they had nothing to show.
Even at the first Australian basketball championship, Slam was forbidden to open Russian and Belarusian flags. At the same time, earlier in the stands it was possible to calmly pronounce the symbols. Thus, the organizers of the TBSH in Melbourne responded to the calls of the dissatisfied. Ambassador of Ukraine to New Zealand Vasily Miroshnichenko posted a picture on social networks with the first round of Ukrainian Ekaterina Beindl and Russian Kamilla Rakhimova, where fans waved a free tricolor.
Tournament guards were even given special memos, which depicted the flags of Russia and Belarus, more accessible for passing on a wide range of issues. The problems of the organizers are not over. Unexpectedly for the players who arranged the capture, a few more countries are very rarely found with a raised tricolor. Realization came at the moment when zealous guards during the course of the first week confused the Serbian control and find that they do not let the Serbian fans pass. “You are racists. This is the Serbian flag. Serbia is the central region of Europe. Do you know what country this is? Serbia! the audience was outraged.
“It’s hard not to notice.” Why Rublev was unhappy with the fans with the Ukrainian flag
It is not surprising that it was after the meeting between the Serbian and the Russian at the first Grand Slam tournament that a new scandal erupted. Shares of Serbian fans after the quarter-final match between Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, which occurred due to an accidental incident.
The reason was a video published on the YouTube channel of the Australian Cossack chieftain Semyon Boikov, in which Srjan stands next to a fan who wears a T-shirt with the letter “Z”. The man is holding a tricolor with the image of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Then Djokovic’s father shouts out: “Long live in Russian!”
Fans of Novak Djokovic
Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
The organizers of the AO have already drawn attention to tennis players, where the number of cases of self-blame has decreased. The most active causative agent of the disease, Victoria, was arrested on the spot. According to the latest information, four people have been detained. According to Tennis Australia, they are threatening Melbourne park guards.
“That was our answer.” Fans with the tricolor were detained at a protest with the participation of Djokovic’s father
However, on January 26, Djokovic’s fans were released. This was reported to RIA Novosti Sport by one of the detained fans, Slobodan Sibich.
“We were surrounded on all sides by 30-40 policemen. The police transcribed the names, addresses and other details of the detainees after a few hours of leave. However, one of the Serbs sent himself away and was detained until he was lost – but then he was also released, because the police cannot go against him.
Our democratic rights have been violated. We are Serbs who love our games and sisters. We came to this match to protect our sports competitions – Djokovic and Rublev – and raise a fair flag and cause emissions, ”RIA Novosti Sport quotes Sibich.
“I’m shocked they didn’t get killed.” Scandal involving ballboys erupted at AO
Sibic also explained in detail why other Serbian fans, in principle, went to hold such actions.
“I said that it reminded me of a moment in history when, before one crime began, people killed what they think and what to do, and after the whole world of the Gestapo. I told the police, “The same things are being done.”
Russophobia must be stopped. I wanted to enjoy the match and raised the flags that I love. This infuriated the organizers and the police. They began to ask why we got the Russian flag, it was unexpected. Since when did it become illegal? Sibich explained.
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Recall that in singles of the Australian Open, one representative of Serbia and Russia, who theoretically can play their title. The semi-finals will take place on January 27 in Melbourne. The struggle for victory in the tournament at the adult level was continued by the last representative of Russia – 26-year-old Karen Khachanov.
In the morning semi-finals in Moscow (the match starts at 6:30 Moscow time), the Russian tennis player will fight with the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. In the second match of the game day, Serbian champion Novak Djokovic, the leading Australian Major Championship, who, for his 10th championship and the American “surprise” Tommy Paul, no one could expect to see on such a prestigious tournament stage, will play a ticket to the final. They are scheduled to start at 11:30 am. So if Khachanov and Djokovic reach the final match, the organizers of AO-2023 will definitely have more headaches before the final day of the tournament.