cnn
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The Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOC) has asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to take disciplinary action against Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic.
On Monday, Djokovic left a political message in the lens of a television camera at the French Open in response to the violent clashes in Kosovo, writing: “Kosovo is the [heart symbol] from Serbia. Stop the violence” in Serbian.
In a letter written by IOC President Ismet Krasniqi and addressed to the IOC, the IOC said Djokovic's message “violated the fundamental principle of the IOC statutes regarding political neutrality and implied yet another political statement in sport.” “.
CNN has contacted Djokovic's representation for comment.
The KOC stated that Djokovic “once again promoted Serbian nationalist propaganda and used the sports platform to do so,” thus raising “the level of tension and violence between the two countries, Kosovo and Serbia.”
Tensions have risen in the past week in Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008. There were clashes with protesters on Monday after ethnic Albanian mayors took office in northern Kosovo, a Serb-majority area of Kosovo, after the April elections that the Kosovo Serbs had boycotted. .
Djokovic explained his message in Serbian at a press conference this week, saying: “This is the least I could have done. I feel a responsibility as a public figure – no matter in what field – to provide support.
“Especially as the son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel the need to give my support to our people and all of Serbia. “I don't know, and I think many others don't know, what the future holds for Kosovo and for the Serbian people, but it is necessary to show support and unity in these types of situations.”
Djokovic's reference to “the entirety of Serbia” reflects the policy of the Serbian government, which still considers Kosovo an integral part of its territory and has not recognized the country's independence.
Krasniqi warned that if action is not taken against Djokovic, “a dangerous precedent is set that sport can be used as a platform for political messages.”
He added: “I respectfully urge that the IOC react within its framework and ask the ITF to follow the principles regulated by the Olympic Charter and investigate this matter by opening a disciplinary procedure against the athlete.”
In a statement sent to CNN, an ITF spokesperson said: “We have received and acknowledged receipt of a letter from the Kosovo Tennis Federation and have forwarded it to the relevant Grand Slam authority.
“The rules of conduct of players at a Grand Slam event are governed by the Grand Slam rule book, administered by the relevant organizer and regulator. “There is no provision in this that prohibits political statements.”
The IOC told CNN that the French Open is governed by the relevant Grand Slam authority and governed by its rules.
“Only during the Olympic Games are the players under the authority of the IOC,” he said.
Djokovic plays the second round of the French Open against Hungarian Márton Fucsovics on Wednesday.
