Brawling at the Australian Open

[Feña14]

Police at the Australian Open in Melbourne ejected around 150 spectators after a brawl broke out between Serbian and Croatian fans on Monday.

Fans wearing the national colours of the two nations clashed around the Rod Laver Arena.

Dozens of police were forced to separate the two groups before ejecting them and confiscating their tickets.

"They were mostly Serbians ejected as they were upsetting the Croatians," a Victoria state police spokeswoman said.
"Police are now meeting with Tennis Australia officials to work out the next move."

Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood said there were no injuries or arrests and security staff had acted swiftly to end the fight.
"We hope that today's well co-ordinated response sends a clear message that while we are happy for fans to come along and support their favourite player, decisive action will be taken if any patrons, or groups, cross the line of acceptable behaviour at this family event," he said.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6261985.stm


Sounds like a good start to the event. I suppose we should be thankful that Murray wasn't playing today, if the British fans had of heard of a brawl outside the Rod Laver arena then things could of got a whole lot worse!

 

[OrangeOne]

"They were mostly Serbians ejected as they were upsetting the Croatians," a Victoria state police spokeswoman said.

That's a *really* odd think for a spokesperson to say, normally neutrality is the go, especially in a brawl-type scenario where it takes 2 (well, 20, but you know what I mean) to tango. For the record - I'm not Serbian or Croatian, I'm just a little amazed to read the above.

The news here is going to town on it though, really disappointing that this will be the focus of day 1 at the tennis, really disappointing that such a major family-event maybe be tarnished a little.

Hopefully everyone learns to play nice for the rest of the tournament...

 

[Yours!05]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/tennis/serbs-croats-clash-at-open/2007/01/15/1168709659893.html

More detail here.
They can take their ethnic gang cr*p somewhere else. I would like to hear that "their" players have done something to allay this. Perhaps all withdraw from the tournament?

 

[OrangeOne]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/tennis/serbs-croats-clash-at-open/2007/01/15/1168709659893.html

More detail here.
They can take their ethnic gang cr*p somewhere else. I would like to hear that "their" players have done something to allay this. Perhaps all withdraw from the tournament?

Well no, that's not fair - it's almost asking for matyrdom on the behalf of the players, most who won't even know 'their supporters'. Speaking out against is a great thing, and hopefully they do that. Withdrawing would not affect the situation in a positive light I don't think....

I also think the 'baggy army' today seemed relatively fine - loud, for sure, but reasonably well behaved & considerate.

 

[VikingSamurai]

The players cant be held responsible for what a few idiots do..

I will say one thing though.. I understand that people are very proud of their family history. But I think sometimes they need to look at wether they are Australian's first, or what their parents are?.. My father is Norwegian Australian, and my Mother is Dainish Australian.. But I was born in Australia, so I am Australian..

I have noticed a trend that in Australia now days, that when an Australian team is playing in Australia against another team. There always seems to be more supporters in a crowd that support that other country instead of supporting Australia.

A good example was that Greek game the Socceroos played before the world cup against Greece. I am sure there werent 50,000 Greek fans flown over to support the Greek team?.. I also know that Melbourne has a huge Greek poulation also. But again. Are they Australians or Greeks?

Or when Australia plays New Zealand in Rugby at home, most of the crowd are New Zealand supporters...

It kinda defeats the point of having a home match, because when it comes to Australia, there doesnt seem to be too much of a home court advantage when most of your own countrymen and women are cheering for another country....

I can understand a little bit of support for another county or player if your country isnt in that particular event. But to cheer against your own country because your parents were born somewhere else is pretty poor form for me...

Seems the same in this case today at Melbourne Park.. Most of these guys were probably born in Australia, but yet because of their etnicity they have clashed.. But arent they "all" Australians? And since when do "Australian's" fight each other?

If you look in the photo on the news sites, they are all drapped in Croation and Serb flags.. Why arent they draped in the Australian flag, if they are indeed Australians?

Just my 2 cents..

 

[OrangeOne]

Seems the same in this case today at Melbourne Park.. Most of these guys were probably born in Australia, but yet because of their etnicity they have clashed.. But arent they "all" Australians? And since when do "Australian's" fight each other?

If you look in the photo on the news sites, they are all drapped in Croation and Serb flags.. Why arent they draped in the Australian flag, if they are indeed Australians?

Hmmm - you see, I'm tempted to ramp this one up further, by saying that I don't even think Nationalism is that relevant, full-stop! Why do we need, or indeed, what right do we have, to claim some kind of pride because of a piece of land and those who have lived on that piece of land before us!

In these days of internet / cheap fast flights / phone calls / etc etc - is nationalism even relevant anymore? I think not, but then again I'm willing to be real enough that I know this would fall on very deaf serbian / croatian / greek / 'aussie' ears....

 

[VikingSamurai]

Well with my parents, then how come I dont go to sporting events walking around with a Viking horn hat and the Norwegian flag draped around me starting fights with the British?

Because I am not Norwegian, I am Australian...

Got nothing to do with the "changing" world...

 

[OrangeOne]

Well with my parents, then how come I dont go to sporting events walking around with a Viking horn hat and the Norwegian flag draped around me starting fights with the British?

Because I am not Norwegian, I am Australian...

Got nothing to do with the "changing" world...

I'm sorry - I really don't think you got the point of my post? I'm not trying to be rude, but I don't see a connection at all between my post and your reply.

I was saying I don't understand nationalism full-stop. I don't get why people need to feel so attached to any country to define themselves, be it any nationality. I only brought in the 'changing world' as a supporting reason as to why I think nationalism is even less relevant today.

---

A different and more relevant & specific point is that players playing pro tennis aren't playing 'for their country' anyways, it's only fans who feel the need to possess players by nation. They're playing for themselves out there, with the exception of Davis / Fed / Hopman Cup and a few others. It's simply in the mind of the players, all sourced from this 'nationalism' concept....

 

[Solat]

I'm sorry - I really don't think you got the point of my post? I'm not trying to be rude, but I don't see a connection at all between my post and your reply.

I was saying I don't understand nationalism full-stop. I don't get why people need to feel so attached to any country to define themselves, be it any nationality. I only brought in the 'changing world' as a supporting reason as to why I think nationalism is even less relevant today.

---

A different and more relevant & specific point is that players playing pro tennis aren't playing 'for their country' anyways, it's only fans who feel the need to possess players by nation. They're playing for themselves out there, with the exception of Davis / Fed / Hopman Cup and a few others. It's simply in the mind of the players, all sourced from this 'nationalism' concept....

I totally agree, tennis is for 90% of the year an individual sport. Why does birthplace matter? Sharapova should be a yank, Fed Ex could argue he is of South African genes, how many EU players are residents in Monaco? It could be the strongest nation in the world if based on residential status.

Tennis does not need to go down the road of Football fanaticism, ettiquite is so highly sought in players and spectators. The perocial fans who cheers errors and especially double faults are not tennis fans.

 

[VikingSamurai]

And I dont think you understood my reply either..

I wasnt saying that we should take any form of mentality either, and so by appreciating the fact that we are all Australian's then there wouldnt be a need to segregate ourselves into these ethnic cliche's.. Hence supporting one another and being proud of where and who we are!.

As for nationalism, then what is wrong with it.. Showing pride in your country.. Go to a US Open, and you will see nothing but the Red white and blue.. And everyone is American!.. When Pete Samprass was playing. He wasnt playing for a country called the United States of Greece. He was playing for the USA. If you ask him if he is Greek or American, he would say he was an American without battering an eye lid.. He may though round it off by stating his Greek heritage.. But he is an American...

So why is Australia unique in the fact that they want to be of another nationality than to the one that they are? Displaying this flag and that flag.. Whats wrong with "our" flag?

 

[VikingSamurai]

ps: Having people all over the world is one thing. But its when they bring their problems with them and it pulls people apart..

You asked why should we have nationalism... Because it will bring us together..

 

[OrangeOne]

And I dont think you understood my reply either..

I wasnt saying that we should take any form of mentality either, and so by appreciating the fact that we are all Australian's then there wouldnt be a need to segregate ourselves into these ethnic cliche's.. Hence supporting one another and being proud of where and who we are!.

That's an argument that only holds in one country at one time, and it indeed assumes that all of the problems are being caused by people who are 'Australians'. What about the people visiting from those countries, touring, holidaying - are you still ok with them fighting? My 'solution', as altruistic and idealistic as it is (and thus, the same reasons as it will never happen), at least holds irrespective of whether or not a few people are holidaying!

off by stating his Greek heritage.. But he is an American...

And yet you class your parents as XYZ-Australians. If they live here, if this is their home now, why aren't they Australians, not XYZ-Australians? I know this is a completely separate debate, but I feel it's being touched on here.

So why is Australia unique in the fact that they want to be of another nationality than to the one that they are? Displaying this flag and that flag.. Whats wrong with "our" flag?

Either way, neither of our solutions are practical. Nationalism as a trend is deteriorating, but at a very slow rate. Ethnic ties, for some reason, are being held tighter and tighter. Personally, I don't see why or how promoting a love / sense of massive pride in Australia will help things greatly going forward. Look at the Cronulla riots - they happened partially as a result of "Aussie pride" & Ethnic-ties gone wild...

ps: Having people all over the world is one thing. But its when they bring their problems with them and it pulls people apart..
You asked why should we have nationalism... Because it will bring us together..

The ties that bind on a micro scale can be the ties that divide on a macro scale. Nationalism only brings people together within a country. Nationalism, when examined internationally, well it's the cause of many problems in the first place, or at least the cause of the continuance of existing problems!

If we all could accept we're citizens of the one planet, then life would be very different....

Anyways - for now, w'ere not going to change the fact that people tie race & ethnicity (and gender, and more) to anything they can. Many people define themselves by race & ethnicity, and sport is a major outlet for this. The reality, for tennis organisers, will be that they have to find a way to manage this for the good of all of the spectators and the sport as a whole...

 

[VikingSamurai]

I dont support violence in any form regardless of wether these people were Australian or not..

My point is. Australia is a relatively new country and doesnt have issues ranging back 1000-2000 years in some cases, and so is known for being a very friendly and proud country..

As any country Australia has its problems, but not to the extent as some others with these long history's..And so maybe if they took the mentaility of support and kindness, then that form of nationalism is mean to be a good thing isnt it?..

 

[pound cat]

Hmmm - you see, I'm tempted to ramp this one up further, by saying that I don't even think Nationalism is that relevant, full-stop! Why do we need, or indeed, what right do we have, to claim some kind of pride because of a piece of land and those who have lived on that piece of land before us!

In these days of internet / cheap fast flights / phone calls / etc etc - is nationalism even relevant anymore? I think not, but then again I'm willing to be real enough that I know this would fall on very deaf serbian / croatian / greek / 'aussie' ears....

The rise of the Nation State has done nothing but cause endless warfare and strife.

 

[Duzza]

Yeah it wasn't that bad! For tennis it was bad yes, but nothing like the Cricket.

 

[equinox]

Going tomorrow. Should be rocking with Cilic and that other qualifer guy. Bring the molotovs people!

 

[Techniques]

I guess it was pretty bad for tennis but for us Aussie's it happens heaps at the cricket and footy when people get drunk. I saw them getting ejected.. didn't see the fight. There were tonnes of policeman though.

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

I remember watching the Jankovic-Clijsters match and the Serb fans were really really terrible. They were yelling during points and cheering Clijsters mistakes. Really terrible.

 

[Feña14]

..I have noticed a trend that in Australia now days, that when an Australian team is playing in Australia against another team. There always seems to be more supporters in a crowd that support that other country instead of supporting Australia.

A good example was that Greek game the Socceroos played before the world cup against Greece. I am sure there werent 50,000 Greek fans flown over to support the Greek team?.. I also know that Melbourne has a huge Greek poulation also. But again. Are they Australians or Greeks?

Or when Australia plays New Zealand in Rugby at home, most of the crowd are New Zealand supporters...

I know what you mean. Whenever I go and see India v England or Pakistan v England in the cricket, the crowed is literally full of Indian's or Pakistani's even though most of them are born here and speak English as their first language.

 

[CanadianChic]

Well, that was just plain unpleasant now. I expect that kind of behaviour at a hockey game or soccer match, but tennis? I prefer to think of tennis as a gentlemen's sport and it's unfortunate the fans behaved in such a crude manner. But then again, when you read some of the arguments on this forum you have to wonder is the posters wouldn't engage in a good old fashioned brawl if given the opportunity.

 

[AAAA]

Context: Serbs and Croats recently fought a bloody civil war and divided the former Yugoslavia into separate Croat and Serbian countries.

 

[malakas]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/tennis/serbs-croats-clash-at-open/2007/01/15/1168709659893.html

More detail here.
They can take their ethnic gang cr*p somewhere else. I would like to hear that "their" players have done something to allay this. Perhaps all withdraw from the tournament?

I hope the Greek fans have learned their lesson and stay away from the fights.. look their own business!

Well with my parents, then how come I dont go to sporting events walking around with a Viking horn hat and the Norwegian flag draped around me starting fights with the British?

Because I am not Norwegian, I am Australian...

Got nothing to do with the "changing" world...

Yes,that's your choise.just because YOU chose to be Australian and not consider yourself Norwegian it's completely naive and selfish to expect from others to do the same.:roll:National identity is a very private issue and a human right as stated by the UN.
Some ppl have not been raised in the same exact background as you and even if you are all Australian citizens,you may have different countries in your heart.

Context: Serbs and Croats recently fought a bloody civil war and divided the former Yugoslavia into separate Croat and Serbian countries.

Heh..it's not just that.That's is just the top of the iceberg.You can't understand ..the hatred in the Balkans last for ages..even before the fall of the Ottoman Umpire..now we have come to the point that many nations consider the term Balkan derogatory and go by south-eastern europeans..
Why do you think that Croatia isn't in the EU yet,when countries like Latvia,Rumania,Lithuania are already in?It's because Brussels don't wish to make it their problem..
Balkans I am afraid need many years more to come in terms with their full of blood,killings and genocides history.. and it's so sad because these people are trully capable of much.Trully magnificent..but also terrible.:neutral:

 

[oscar_2424]

Well, that was just plain unpleasant now. I expect that kind of behaviour at a hockey game or soccer match, but tennis? I prefer to think of tennis as a gentlemen's sport and it's unfortunate the fans behaved in such a crude manner. But then again, when you read some of the arguments on this forum you have to wonder is the posters wouldn't engage in a good old fashioned brawl if given the opportunity.

Soccer rules!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CanadianChic]

Oh no Oscar, don't tell me you're one of "those" guys. lol

 

[oscar_2424]

Oh no Oscar, don't tell me you're one of "those" guys. lol

Didn't you know???

 

[CanadianChic]

Nope. :sad:

 

[oscar_2424]

Do you feel dissapointed?

 

[CanadianChic]

Nope. :grin:

 

[alwaysatnet]

The rise of the Nation State has done nothing but cause endless warfare and strife.

So there was no warfare or bad vibes prior to the rise of the nation state? It's an unfortunate attribute of human nature to want to identify with a group and then battle another group to prove supremecy.The Serbia/Croatian clash is more of an age old ethnic clash than anything else anyway.People want to blame nations,religions,ethnicity,race,etc.Don't blame the sympton.Blame the disease.It's called "Human Nature".

 

[Jonnyf]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6261985.stm


Sounds like a good start to the event. I suppose we should be thankful that Murray wasn't playing today, if the British fans had of heard of a brawl outside the Rod Laver arena then things could of got a whole lot worse!

You're right mate that mix of scots and english to rile em and then kick the crap out of them. We invented fights.!

 

[Feña14]

You're right mate that mix of scots and english to rile em and then kick the crap out of them. We invented fights.!

lol definitley. They wouldn't need any police when the Barmy Army are there to sort out any people misbehaving

 

[Yours!05]

lol definitley. They wouldn't need any police when the Barmy Army are there to sort out any people misbehaving

Have they shown "An Aussie Goes Barmy" in the UK yet? Pretty funny, but could've been better. The only real danger he faced was being crushed between 2 beer guts - but better not mention the cricket.

 

[Feña14]

Have they shown "An Aussie Goes Barmy" in the UK yet? Pretty funny, but could've been better. The only real danger he faced was being crushed between 2 beer guts - but better not mention the cricket.

No we haven't had that over here yet. I'm sure we will though, probably when they need time to fill some time after we lose another ODI in under 3 hours

Who cares if we can't play cricket anymore, we have fans who can do this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yw6R9ASRoQ

 

[Yours!05]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/tenni...f/2007/01/15/1168709679555.html?s_cid=rss_age

Excerpts from the above:

"Serb supporter Sasa Alesic said the violence was not premeditated. "It's not fair we've all been chucked out. Even if we didn't start it, or do anything, we get thrown out. It's racist."

"But another Serb supporter said the violence was organised days ahead. Text messages saying "come to the tennis and punch on" had been circulating, and would continue.
"We hate those Croat c----, we want to smash their heads in after the game," he said. "We knew they were coming, tomorrow there will be more. There'll be 200 Croats, but that doesn't matter, we'll bring shanks and stab every one of them."

"Women's 11th seed, Serb Jelena Jankovic, said the Australian Open was the only tennis tournament in the world to experience the kind of ethnic-based violence normally associated with soccer. "I think just here in Melbourne that there is this kind of problem," she said."

Really Jelena? She encouraged them at the Medibank in Sydney, where it was so bad Clijsters was close to tears.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/welcome-to-the-happy-slam/2007/01/15/1168709679576.html?page=2
http://www.theage.com.au/news/tenni...d-in-the-clowns/2007/01/15/1168709679600.html

 

[Feña14]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/tenni...f/2007/01/15/1168709679555.html?s_cid=rss_age

Excerpts from the above:

"Serb supporter Sasa Alesic said the violence was not premeditated. "It's not fair we've all been chucked out. Even if we didn't start it, or do anything, we get thrown out. It's racist."

"But another Serb supporter said the violence was organised days ahead. Text messages saying "come to the tennis and punch on" had been circulating, and would continue.
"We hate those Croat c----, we want to smash their heads in after the game," he said. "We knew they were coming, tomorrow there will be more. There'll be 200 Croats, but that doesn't matter, we'll bring shanks and stab every one of them."

"Women's 11th seed, Serb Jelena Jankovic, said the Australian Open was the only tennis tournament in the world to experience the kind of ethnic-based violence normally associated with soccer. "I think just here in Melbourne that there is this kind of problem," she said."

Really Jelena? She encouraged them at the Medibank in Sydney, where it was so bad Clijsters was close to tears.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/welcome-to-the-happy-slam/2007/01/15/1168709679576.html?page=2
http://www.theage.com.au/news/tenni...d-in-the-clowns/2007/01/15/1168709679600.html

Wow that's pretty sad. I'm sure that it's all talk about stabbing the Croats tomorrow. I'd like to see them try and sneak weapons in to the grounds, especially after stating that they wish to do so.

 

[Yours!05]

Wow that's pretty sad. I'm sure that it's all talk about stabbing the Croats tomorrow. I'd like to see them try and sneak weapons in to the grounds, especially after stating that they wish to do so.

Hope you're right. I've also read the "Greeks" (maybe they mean Cypriot Baggy supporters, who knows) at the outset joined in with the Serbs against the Croats. Makes the Pom-Aussie "rivalry" look just like it really is - fun.

 

[OrangeOne]

Going tomorrow. Should be rocking with Cilic and that other qualifer guy. Bring the molotovs people!

I can't help thinking that the above post, while joking, just doesn't seem funny in this thread.

I know what you mean. Whenever I go and see India v England or Pakistan v England in the cricket, the crowed is literally full of Indian's or Pakistani's even though most of them are born here and speak English as their first language.

Hmmm, chris_in_japan's problem was such fans dressing in their 'ethnic' colours, where as you've just said that lots supporters of ethnic origin actually go to the cricket? It's hardly surprising...

I hope the Greek fans have learned their lesson and stay away from the fights.. look their own business!

Fair call.

you may have different countries in your heart.

This is where it starts to get silly, but then anything that involves raw emotion does I guess...

Excerpts from the above:

It was a terrible article, and I can only hope that much of it was media hype.

"Women's 11th seed, Serb Jelena Jankovic, said the Australian Open was the only tennis tournament in the world to experience the kind of ethnic-based violence normally associated with soccer. "I think just here in Melbourne that there is this kind of problem," she said."

Really Jelena? She encouraged them at the Medibank in Sydney, where it was so bad Clijsters was close to tears.

I daresay she encouraged support, and perhaps even enjoyed and encouraged raucous, opponent-off-putting support. Given the above quote was in the context of violence, I think her comment is fair. She certainly didn't encourage violence...

Other quotes from that article disturbed me more:

Melbourne's Serbian Cultural Club president Toma Banjanin said it was disappointing the bitter history between the two groups had flared at a sporting event, but old enmities could be stoked by over-zealous Croatian flag-waving. "They express their super-national feelings, just like the ****s once upon a time," Mr Banjanin said.
"They used their chequered flag during Second World War to slaughter a million and a half people," he said.
And when Croatian fans waved their flags at the tennis, he said "some people cannot restrain themselves. Probably a few of those Serbs they say, 'OK, you want a fight, let's have a fight.'



"But not that I approve it. I don't. But they are pushing it."

Great, so now we know that the president of the Serbian Cultural Club is happy to justify Serbian violence based on flag-waving, even if he adds a pointless "I doin't approve it" comment at the end. Disappointing.

Mr Banjanin also said some Serbs had been incensed by Tony Santic, owner of three-time Melbourne Cup winning horse Makybe Diva, giving her the Croatian colours. "They shouldn't push their super-nationalistic emblems and feelings at the sports ground," he said. "The easiest way is, leave your chequered flag at home."

I don't see him offering to leave the Serbian flags at home, which might be a nice peace offering perhaps?

Croatian Community Association secretary Tom Starcevic said he believed Serbian supporters were the aggressors yesterday.

Really? A Croatian believes the Serbs started it? Nice to see the pointless rhetoric from both sides of the coin....

He said his daughter, Emilija, 14, had seen a Serbian supporter strike a Croatian fan in the head.

Aaaarrgh, this is where I wanted to stop reading!

He had also read a media report that Serbians at Melbourne Park had been chanting "die, Croatians die".
"These are strong words and very provocative and something like that shouldn't be at the tennis, that's for sure," he said.
Mr Starcevic said such behaviour " has no place anywhere; violence doesn't achieve anything."

And just as the Serbian guy, he finishes on a happy statement that doesn't ring loud. I'd respect this reply so much more if he'd just said that 10 times....

If only they'd both stand up and say that violence will acheive nothing, and it has no place anywhere... maybe we'd get somewhere. If national colours or flags have to be banned at the tennis to lessen the risk of volence, it would be a sad day....

 

[Yours!05]

I can't help thinking that the above post,
If only they'd both stand up and say that violence will acheive nothing, and it has no place anywhere... maybe we'd get somewhere. If national colours or flags have to be banned at the tennis to lessen the risk of volence, it would be a sad day....

Equal first prize for mealy-mouthed prevarication: the two "leaders".

 

[Yours!05]

It was a terrible article, and I can only hope that much of it was media hype.

Doubt it. Got a call from my Ground Passing kids. They were frightened and upset.

 

[malakas]

This is where it starts to get silly, but then anything that involves raw emotion does I guess...

What a generalisation!Typical male..
Well..maternal love is also a raw emotion.Very silly ,no? ..

Great, so now we know that the president of the Serbian Cultural Club is happy to justify Serbian violence based on flag-waving, even if he adds a pointless "I doin't approve it" comment at the end. Disappointing.

I don't see him offering to leave the Serbian flags at home, which might be a nice peace offering perhaps?

Really? A Croatian believes the Serbs started it? Nice to see the pointless rhetoric from both sides of the coin....

And just as the Serbian guy, he finishes on a happy statement that doesn't ring loud. I'd respect this reply so much more if he'd just said that 10 times....

If only they'd both stand up and say that violence will acheive nothing, and it has no place anywhere... maybe we'd get somewhere. If national colours or flags have to be banned at the tennis to lessen the risk of volence, it would be a sad day....

Very hypocritic by both of them..so ridiculous it made me laugh!
I am afraid tomorrow is going to be worse...Cilic against Bozolojac ..:neutral:

Also the bbc report of the inciddent:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6261985.stm

 

[VikingSamurai]

Point is.. wether you like it or not. It is AUSTRALIA, and not Serbia, or even Croatia.. So they have no right to start anything, or hold bad blood.. Leave your ethnic crap where it belongs, grow up and get some dignity!

I just feel sorry for the people that had to witness it.. Esspecially children.. Who ever thinks what happened yesterday was fun or expressing patriotic feelings is an idiot!

Stop picking people reply's apart just to make a point.. It was wrong and unwanted. Full stop!....

 

[malakas]

Point is.. wether you like it or not. It is AUSTRALIA, and not Serbia, or even Croatia.. So they have no right to start anything, or hold bad blood.. Leave your ethnic crap where it belongs, grow up and get some dignity!

I just feel sorry for the people that had to witness it.. Esspecially children.. Who ever thinks what happened yesterday was fun or expressing patriotic feelings is an idiot!

Of course they are idiots.That's not civilised behaviour.Whether you are Aussie,Croat or Serb..If you are HUMAN,you shouldn't behave like that.

Stop picking people reply's apart just to make a point.. It was wrong and unwanted. Full stop!....

Who?Me?? When did I say it was right and desired???

What I said,is that it is wrong of YOU to require others to feel the same for your country just because you have same passports.

 

[127mph]

i bet the greeks and the turks will rumble tommrow.

 

[Yours!05]

What I said,is that it is wrong of YOU to require others to feel the same for your country just because you have same passports.

Perhaps...Chris & I both come from somewhere else, his antecedents recently, and mine not so, although, in European terms, almost yesterday. We were not invited in as refugees from homeland strife (nor convicts, lol) however. I guess it's all a matter of opinion. Peace.

 

[OrangeOne]

Equal first prize for mealy-mouthed prevarication: the two "leaders".

Very hypocritic by both of them..so ridiculous it made me laugh!

Yup - I wholeheartedly agree with both of the above. How can we expect the 'youth' from these communities to let bygones be bygones, to know and believe that violence is never the answer - if the two 'leaders' are spouting 'justifications' and only paying lip-service to the real message.

Doubt it. Got a call from my Ground Passing kids. They were frightened and upset.

That's a real shame Yours!05, I hope things are better for them on other days should they be going. I'll have to call my mates and get their perspective - not that I doubt your kids at all - I just wonder what it looked like to many different parties.... Today - I'm sure everyone who doesn't want a piece of this will stay away from court 20 (from memory), which will hopefully make it easier to police for the poor guys who have to stand in the middle....

What a generalisation!Typical male..
Well..maternal love is also a raw emotion.Very silly ,no? ..

Hehe - Point made . Bye saying a tongue-in-cheek 'silly', I meant 'hard to explain with logic'. Any form of 'love' is hard to explain with logic...

Point is.. wether you like it or not. It is AUSTRALIA, and not Serbia, or even Croatia.. So they have no right to start anything, or hold bad blood.. Leave your ethnic crap where it belongs, grow up and get some dignity!

I'm sorry, but that sentiment is really not going to solve anything. We are a multicultural country, and that doesn't mean that we are one massive culture. We've evolved to this point with many cultural groups maintaing elements of their ethnicities, and that's not going to change overnight.

Equally, some of that style of thinking is actually causing some angst - the whole "aussie pride" thing, when taken too far, starts to create an us versus them thing, which is, ironically, exactly the attitudes that we're all not liking between the other countries. Their fights starts tens and hundreds of years ago, why should we create a negative us versus them line in the sand now?

Stop picking people reply's apart just to make a point.. It was wrong and unwanted. Full stop!....

Who?Me?? When did I say it was right and desired???

Not sure malakas - the above may have been pointed at me maybe?

Either way chris_in_japan - this is an interesting conversation here about a topical issue, not quite sure who you're targeting that at, but any-which-way, this is an interesting discussion. What you call 'picking people reply's (sic) apart', I call discussion....

 

[Zverev]

It's not right that nobody was charged in the end.
The idioots just got a slap on the hand.

In my opinion the police videos should be studied and worst perpetrators should be severely punished for inciting of racial hatred and violence (there must be some law in Australia for that, I hope!).
Tennis is an individual sport, you, freaks!
I understand that Balkans just got through war, but then police should take it very seriously. I see lots of complacency here. "Ah, Serbs and Croats...always figting..."
NO MORE! Not here in Australia! Not acceptable!

 

[sureshs]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/tennis/serbs-croats-clash-at-open/2007/01/15/1168709659893.html

More detail here.
They can take their ethnic gang cr*p somewhere else. I would like to hear that "their" players have done something to allay this. Perhaps all withdraw from the tournament?

Jankovic calls for calmPaul Malone
January 15, 2007 11:00pm
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JELENA Jankovic yesterday pleaded with her Melbourne fans of Serbian heritage to steer clear of violence and cease booing her opponents after crowd unrest again marred the Australian tennis summer.

Jankovic, the in-form Serbian, was appalled by the ejection by police of 150 Serbian and Croatian supporters from Melbourne Park for fighting near a back court four hours before she won her Australian Open first round.
Her rise to a world ranking of No. 11 has made her a lightning rod for Serbian national pride when she plays in Melbourne, and in Sydney last week her supporters booed her opponent Kim Clijsters repeatedly during Clijsters's three-set final win.

"I don't like when they are fighting against each other and kind of booing the other player just because they are from some other country. I think that's not fair," Jankovic said after her 6-3, 6-3 first-round win over Canadian Aleksandra Woszniak.

Jankovic said she was pleased with the fairness of her supporters during her tired win over Woszniak, ranked No. 92 but decided to use her influence to try to calm tensions at Melbourne Park, where she is fourth favourite to win her first major title.

 

[OrangeOne]

JELENA Jankovic yesterday pleaded with her Melbourne fans of Serbian heritage to steer clear of violence and cease booing her opponents after crowd unrest again marred the Australian tennis summer.

That's a mature call from a young girl, good on her. I read comments from Ancic that I can no longer find, but they were, in my book, a little too careless, a little too ignorant of what was going on.

I know these players aren't responsible for anything that happens, but they can indeed use their influence with just a few words that someone else will write for them in a media release....

 

[Yours!05]

Thanks. So glad to see that from a responsible, thoughtful player - and can she play too!

 

[VikingSamurai]

Of course they are idiots.That's not civilised behaviour.Whether you are Aussie,Croat or Serb..If you are HUMAN,you shouldn't behave like that.




Who?Me?? When did I say it was right and desired???

What I said,is that it is wrong of YOU to require others to feel the same for your country just because you have same passports.

Well if they have their hearts somewhere else, then maybe they should go back and live there?. I doubt though that the quality of life might not be up to what they have come to expect from living in Australia?

Kinda why I have had enough of Japan. I have been here for over 5 years and am not enjoying it anymore.. So instead of becomming miserable and draping an Australian flag around me, running around Japan taking my anger out on ethnic New Zealander's, I have decided to pack up and head home.. Its not that I hate it here, but as YOU say, my heart is somewhere else..