Fan called illegal detention for demonstrating the Russian flag at the Australian Open
Australian Serb Slobodan Sibich explained why he showed the Russian flag during the match between compatriot Novak Djokovic and Russian Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
“Russophobia must be stopped. I wanted to enjoy the match and I raised the flags that I love,” said Sibich. He stressed that both athletes needed support during the meeting. The fan called the actions of the Australian police, who detained him, illegal.
Australian police detained four fans with Russian flags after the 1/4 finals of the Australian Open on January 25, in which Djokovic defeated Rublev with a score of 6:2, 6:2, 6:4. The police interrogated the detainees and released them.
Prior to this, the Australian Tennis Federation banned fans from bringing Russian and Belarusian flags to the stands due to complaints from Ukrainian spectators. The organizers recalled that initially fans from Russia and Belarus could bring flags, but they were forbidden to wave them so as not to interfere with other fans.
Source: Lenta
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
