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Novak Djokovic’s household has grow to be embroiled in an unpleasant Australian Open protest, after the Serbian champion’s father apparently posed with pro-Putin demonstrators.
4 Australian Open spectators, together with a person holding a Russian flag with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s face on it, have been being questioned by Victoria Police on Thursday after allegedly threatening safety at Melbourne Park.
It adopted scenes late on Wednesday when a gaggle of followers gathered on the steps exterior Rod Laver Enviornment and Margaret Courtroom Enviornment and recited pro-Russia chants. A number of have been both holding or carrying numerous Russian flags.
The followers chanted “Russia, Serbia” after Djokovic defeated Russian Andrey Rublev in straight units to move to the semifinal of the Melbourne grand slam.
On Thursday it emerged that Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, can apparently be seen with the followers in footage uploaded to social media. They seem to chant: “Lengthy stay Russia”.
The footage was uploaded to YouTube by pro-Russian on-line commentator Simeon Boikov, who is best recognized by his social media moniker Aussie Cossack.
He captioned a part of the video: “Novak Djokovic’s father makes a daring political assertion”.
There are additionally stories that Mr Djokovic posed with a Russian nationalist holding a flag with Mr Putin’s face and carrying a controversial Z T-shirt on the Australian Open.
Two males have been seen carrying the shirts within the Australian Open crowd on Wednesday. One held up a flag with an image of Mr Putin.
Previous and current Russian flags, the Russian Eagle flag, Belarusian flags and objects of clothes with the Z image – which is used to advertise Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – are prohibited at Melbourne Park.
“4 folks within the crowd leaving the stadium revealed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened safety guards,” a Tennis Australia spokesperson mentioned.
“Victoria Police intervened and are persevering with to query them.
“The consolation and security of everyone seems to be our precedence and we work carefully with safety and authorities.”
Djokovic is but to touch upon the allegations about his father.
The Ukrainian ambassador, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, has already condemned Russian flags being displayed through the Melbourne grand slam. He additionally referred to as on Tennis Australia to implement its “impartial flag” coverage.
“It is a full package deal. Among the many Serbian flags, there’s a Russian flag, Putin, Z-symbol or chanting pro-Russian songs. It is such a shame,” he mentioned of Wednesday’s show.
Tennis Australia had initially allowed spectators to deliver Russian and Belarusian banners to Melbourne Park, so long as they brought on no disruption.
The coverage was reversed final Tuesday after a Russian flag was prominently displayed courtside throughout a match involving Ukrainian participant Kateryna Baindl.
The Russian embassy referred to as the ban “one other instance of unacceptable politicization of sports activities”.
The rule has been flouted on a number of events however Wednesday night time’s incident was clearly probably the most blatant.
Russian and Belarusian gamers, corresponding to Russians Rublev and Karen Khachanov and star Belarusians Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka, are allowed to compete in Melbourne, however should achieve this below a impartial banner.
They have been banned by the All England membership from taking part at Wimbledon final 12 months in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Russia is Belarus’ largest and most necessary financial and political associate.
– with AAP
