Izuchukwu Okosi
Amid the tension in Ukraine following the Russian invasion, Australian Open organisers on Thursday issued a timely reminder to players and their entourages about their policy on ‘inappropriate flags’ after a video emerged showing Novak Djokovic’s father posing for pictures with fans holding Russian flags.
Four supporters with ‘inappropriate flags and symbols’ were questioned by Victoria Police following Wednesday’s quarter-final between Djokovic and Russia’s Andrey Rublev.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA video also posted on social media Thursday showed one supporter on the steps of Rod Laver Arena holding up a Russian flag with the image of President Vladimir Putin on it.
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Late on Wednesday another video had shown. Djokovic’s father Srdjan posing for pictures with fans holding Russian flags.
“Players and their teams have been briefed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to disrupt,’ Tennis Australia said in a statement on Thursday.
‘’We continue to work closely with event security and law enforcement agencies.’
Russian and Belarusian flags are banned from Melbourne Park during the tournament after a complaint from the Ukraine ambassador to the country.
Belarus is a key staging ground for Russia’s war in Ukraine, which Moscow terms a ‘special operation’.
Photos on social media also showed one fan in the crowd during Wednesday’s match with a ‘Z’ on his shirt.
Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko expressed his disgust at their behaviour today.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
