Greek tennis fans consider legal action
Posted by evdomada on January 17, 2008
Three members of the Hellas Fan Club (HFC) were arrested and seven others were also banned from the grand slam event after police were called to subdue unruly spectators on Tuesday night.
Tournament director Craig Tiley denied the Open’s international reputation has been damaged by the incident and allegations that a 12-year-old girl was indecently assaulted at the event on Monday.
Mr Tiley said he supported the actions of the police who said they resorted to capsicum spray when they were physically threatened by supporters of Greek player Konstantinos Economidis in his match against Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez.
The HFC issued a statement saying it was considering its options.
“Many members were treated unfairly and some injured by Victoria Police, and as such the HFC is considering its legal position and any potential action which may be undertaken,” the statement said.
“The HFC is currently in the process of collating eyewitness accounts of members and non-members (of) unnecessary force displayed of the Victoria Police.”
Police were called to Margaret Court Arena about 8.30pm (AEDT) after complaints from sections of the crowd that the Greek supporters had been abusive and singing offensive chants in Greek and English.
Superintendent John Cooke defended the actions of the police who he said were also investigating a claim that a girl was touched on the buttocks by an intoxicated man at the Open on Monday.
“It only got out of control when these people escalated it to the point of threatening and intimidating the (police) members,” he said.
“Had we not used the spray, had our members been involved in a physical confrontation with that group, in that sort of environment, I am quite sure we would have had a great deal more injuries to both the police and to the spectators.
“Our members are not punching bags.”
He said the 10 Greek supporters were the only ones affected by the gas and said he could not validate claims that innocent spectators had also been sprayed.
“I can tell you only 10 people were treated. None of them were children, none were women,” he said.
“I have no ability to test the validity of them (the reports).
“We’re quite pleased with the results and the use of the spray.”
Mr Tiley said, despite widespread international coverage of the incident, no damage had been done to the reputation of the tournament which began on Monday amid speculation its position as a grand slam event was under threat from China.
“It worries us that the incident occurred,” Mr Tiley said.
“It worries us that people behave in that fashion, but it is not a concern to us that it damages the image of the event because there are so many positives.
“The Open is under no threat from China.”
The incident follows ugly violence last year between Serbian and Croatian supporters which resulted in 150 people being ejected from Melbourne Park.
Mr Tiley said banning national flags and colours would not be considered.
“The actions of a few don’t need to subdue or kill off the enthusiasm of the rest,” he said.
The 2007 Open also was marred by claims of sexual assault against a five-year-old boy and three men being charged over taking photos up women’s skirts.
Supt Cooke said the assault claim from Monday was “very, very, very minor” but was being investigated.
Mr Tiley said the possibility of restricting alcohol sales at the Open to only mid-strength beer would be considered at a meeting at the end of the tournament.
