The Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOK) has called for disciplinary action to be taken against Novak Djokovic for “raising the level of tension and violence between the two countries, Serbia and Kosovo”.
Djokovic wrote the words “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia, stop violence” on a courtside camera lens after his first round victory against Aleksandr Kovacevic of the United States in the first round of the French Open and subsequently elaborated on his comments at a media conference.
“Yesterday, we and the world witnessed another incident, this time composed by a Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, who once again and for the third time violated the sport principles, breached the Fundamental Principles of the Olympic Charter on the point of political neutrality and involved yet another political statement in sport,” KOK President Ismet Krasniqi wrote in a letter to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.
“Novak Djokovic has yet again promoted the Serbian nationalists propaganda and used the sport platform to do so.
“The further post-match statements, made by such a public figure without any feeling of remorse, directly result in raising the level of tension and violence between the two countries, Serbia and Kosovo.”
Djokovic had spoken after violence flared in Northern Kosovo following the installation of ethnic Albanians as Mayors of four communes with a substantial ethnic Serbian population.
“As President of the Kosovo Olympic Committee, I have an obligation to raise my concerns and kindly ask you to react on behalf of the International Olympic Committee, as these messages and actions are dangerous for the future of sport if unpunished,” Krasniqi added.
He has called on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to open disciplinary proceedings against Djokovic for a breach of clause five of the Olympic Charter, “recognising that sport occurs within the framework of society, sports organisations within the Olympic Movement shall apply political neutrality”.
“Dear President, what happened at the French Open must be perceived as a violation of sport principles and the Olympic Spirit and as a breach of the Olympic Charter,” Krasniqi said in the letter.
“Regardless of the fact that Novak Djokovic is one of the best tennis players in the world, such reiterated behaviour cannot be tolerated as it sets a dangerous precedent that sport can be used as a platform for political messages, agendas and propaganda.”
Meanwhile, Kosovo Tennis Federation vice-president Jeton Hadergjonaj also criticised the Serbian star.
“It’s not the first time that Djokovic is doing this,” Hadergjonaj told the Press Association.
“He’s continually provoking Kosovo.”
Djokovic’s father Srdjan was born in Kosovo when it was still part of Yugoslavia.
“OK, Djokovic has some connections, he still has some family there I think, and he visited that part,” Hadergjonaj added.
“It’s understandable, he’s connected with that part.
“But Kosovo is an independent country recognised by the ITF, Tennis Europe and the international community, but he continuously attacks us every time he can do it.”
The civil unrest in Kosovo this weekend left 25 members of the NATO Peacekeeping force with injuries and has prompted a call for calm to both sides from European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
Credit: InsideTheGames
