Moscow responds to Australian Open flag ban

Organizers of the major sporting event have banned the Russian and Belarusian flags from being displayed by fans in Melbourne

The decision by organizers of the ongoing Australian Open to ban the display of Russian and Belarusian flags by fans has been described as an “unacceptable politicization of sports” by Russia’s embassy in Canberra.

A statement from Tennis Australia on Tuesday said the decision was made following what was described as a “courtside incident” which occurred during the first round match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Monday, during which some supporters displayed the Russian tricolor and vocally supported the Russian player.

Supporters of Baindl, though, said Russian fans had been “taunting” the Ukrainian player and called for security staff to assess the situation. The Russian flag was subsequently removed but no further action was taken.

The scenes drew the condemnation of Ukrainian women’s player Marta Kostyuk as well as the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasily Myroshnychenko, who called upon Tennis Australia to impose a “neutral flag” policy, and said he “strongly condemned” the display of Russian colors at the event.

❗️The decision to ban