Nazi salutes at the Australian Open
Israeli tennis star Dudi Sela plays his first round match today in the Australian Open following an opening day marred by a group of youths raising Nazi salutes.
The group has been reported to be of Croation background. They let off flares, intimidated fans and spat at a photographer. Melbourne’s ‘Herald Sun’ reports that eight men were ejected from a court on which a match was being played between a Czech and a Croatian. Two members were fine $324 for disrupting plays under new laws granting police to issue on the spot fines.
In the meantime, Australians for Palestine has announced that Shahar Peer is playing today although her name does not appear on the official schedule. In seeking support in their bid to protest the Israeli’s participation, the AFP has published: ”
Shahar Peer will be playing in the first round tomorrow (Tuesday 19 January 2010) on Court 19. Supporters who wish to come and protest, please meet us on the grass forecourt outside the entrance of the Rod Laver Arena, Batman Avenue at 12.30pm. The protest is being held at this time for people who wish to come during their lunch break. We will have placards and flyers to hand out. Posters (see above) have already been distributed around Melbourne’s city centre.”
Sela will play Ukrainian Ivan Sengeyev in his frst round match this morning.
