A CROATIAN leader says media coverage of nazi-saluting Croat tennis thugs is just vilification of her community.
Australia Croatia Community Services committee member Linda Paric, speaking on radio this morning, blamed the media for portraying Croatians as troublemakers, despite the fact photographs clearly show the Croatian colours on many of the supporters.
Her comments have sparked fierce debate among heraldsun.com.au readers, with many slamming Ms Paric's view of the issue, claiming she is denial.
"Linda Paric is living in complete denial," wrote Tracie of Geelong. "Fact is, people dressed in Croatian supporters' colours etc were caught red-handed with flares, and were caught causing trouble. No-one is being racist, or targetting them. The situation is quite clear - if they behaved appropriately there would be nothing to report."
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"Sorry Linda, pictures speak a thousand words," wrote Johnny. They were wearing Croatian colours and throwing flares and giving the bird ... you can't be serious to think we believe this is all a beat up."
Croatian-Australian Emil Bulum also criticised Ms Paric, saying she "in no way" spoke for the majority of her community.
"Who the the hell is Linda Paric?? ... I am a Croatian-Australian and am very embarrassed by the antics of these stupid young hoodlums."
Premier John Brumby today described the behaviour by the mob as an embarrassment to the whole country.
I think it's embarrassing to Australia and, I gotta say, I think probably embarrassing to the Croatian community as well,'' Mr Brumby told 3AW today.
They don't do any credit to anyone. They don't do any credit to themselves. They don't do any credit to their community. They don't do any credit to Victoria. They are an embarrassment.''
After 11, mostly Croatian supporters, were ejected yesterday four people were today thrown from the ground for unruly behaviour, which included shouting, standing on seats and disrupting play.
Unlike yesterdays trouble, Police Superintendent Jock Menzel said there was no particular group involved during the Australian Opens second day.
Police said they were generally pleased with the behaviour of fans at Rod Laver Arena.
Security staff continued to search fans entering the arena for flares on day two.
I'd like to think the warning's helping, certainly we're acting on what we say we're going to do and that is take swift and appropriate action,'' Supt Menzel said.
This morning, Ms Paric attacked the Herald Suns coverage as predictable annual hysterical reporting and negative portrayal of the Croatian community is disappointing and a real comment on our media and its role.
And she also claimed no other community in the history of this country has been (as) vilified repeatedly.
The racist goons some wearing Croatian colours intimidated other fans, let of flares and spat on, then slapped a Herald Sun photographer.
The disgraceful display made a mockery of so-called multicultural Melbourne as tennis fans around the world tuned in for the first Grand Slam event of the year.
But Ms Paric instead told Neil Mitchell on 3AW: I say shame on the media for not taking its role as the fourth estate responsibly, and I also say shame on them because the first thing that is plastered everywhere is Croatia and Croats". (Listen to the Linda Paric interview here)
Ms Paric dodged questions about whether the group were Croatian supporters, saying: I have no idea whether they are, or not.
I have no idea whether theyre not. I have been looking at pictures in the Herald Sun. And, while some of them are wearing chequered tops a lot of them are wearing hoodies.
She claimed they were wearing hoodies because theyre teenagers.
Ms Paric repeatedly refused to accept the group were of Croatian background, saying they would have to be charged and identified to clarify their ethnicity.
Every year it is portrayed as the Croatian community, and this is the problem with it every single year.
Pressed to accept the behaviour was a problem, she said no-one condones this.
I call on anyone who goes to the tennis whether they are Croatian or any other ethnicity to show respect and regard, first of all for the players because if I was a Croatian player I wouldnt appreciate any (bad) behaviour.
Asked whether she accepted there was an element of Croatian supporters, she said of course there are Croatian supporters.
She said I dont know what trouble they caused despite looking at the pictures of Nazi salutes and flares.
Croatian fans are not the only ones who have brought flares into sporting events.
Ms Paric disputed whether the front page photograph clearly showing a Nazi salute was what it appeared.
The Nazi salute. I really challenge that theres also a three-fingered salute in that. When did that become the Nazi salute? In the same picture taken from different angles.
Id really like to see that picture uncropped.
Stop violent louts ruining our tennis
As the racists brought shame on Melbourne on the first day of the Australian Open, police, tennis officials and politicians were red-faced and fuming yesterday.
Family First Senator Steve Fielding said racist louts should be banned from all sporting events for at least three years or jailed.
"People have the right to go to these events without having to put up with this kind of trash," he said.
The trouble started when eight people were barred from entering the tournament for carrying flares. One flare was let off outside Melbourne Park even before play started.
Teams of security staff were waiting when the front gates opened but some Croatian fans dodged them by running up the stairs while others attempted to hide their faces under hoodies.
Another 11 goons were ejected from court six, half an hour into Croatian Ivo Karlovic's match against Czech Radek Stepanek.
One supporter was found carrying two flares.
Police Supt Jock Menzel denied security failed.
"You must understand people are innovative and they will go to great lengths to smuggle contraband into the particular venue," he said.
He said police assisted security staff in ejecting Karlovic's supporters, who have been banned for the rest of the tournament.
Two were fined $234, one for disrupting play and the other for possessing a flare, but no charges were laid.
"These 11 people were disruptive, they were standing on seats and they were causing problems for the other spectators who were there to watch the game," Supt Menzel said.
"Tennis Australia and Victoria Police, we won't tolerate poor behaviour and we've demonstrated that this morning."
