Four people were kicked out of the Australian Open after displaying Russian flags 바카라 which have been banned from Melbourne Park 바카라 and threatening security guards, police and Tennis Australia said Thursday.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the four have not been charged but were evicted from the site.
The flags, at least one of which included an image of Vladimir Putin, were being waved during a gathering outside of Rod Laver Arena after Novak Djokovic beat Russian player Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the quarterfinals of the year바카라s first Grand Slam tennis tournament Wednesday night.
바카라A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards following a match on Wednesday night and were evicted. ... 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,바카라 Tennis Australian said in a statement. 바카라We continue to work closely with event security and law enforcement agencies.바카라
On Jan. 17, the second day of the Australian Open, flags from Russia and Belarus were banned from Melbourne Park after more than one was brought into the stands by spectators the day before.
Normally, flags can be displayed during matches at Melbourne Park. But Tennis Australia reversed that policy for the two countries involved in the invasion of Ukraine that began nearly a year ago, saying the flags were causing disruption.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus were barred last year from competing in various sports events, including the men바카라s World Cup in soccer and Wimbledon, the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup in tennis, because of the war in Ukraine. Russia invaded, with help from Belarus, in February.
Russian and Belarusian players have been allowed to play at the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open, but as 바카라neutral바카라 athletes, so their nationalities are not acknowledged on any official schedules or results for the event and their countries바카라 flags are not displayed on TV graphics.
At the Australian Open, two women who represent Belarus 바카라 Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka 바카라 and one man who represents Russia 바카라 Karen Khachanov 바카라 reached the singles semifinals.
On Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee said athletes should not be penalized for their nationality and made clear it wants Russians to be able to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics as 바카라neutral바카라 athletes.
