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MELBOURNE: Moves including banning full strength beer are being
considered to prevent further unruly scenes at the Australian Open
after a senior minister said Thursday the country’s image was at
stake.
The event, once synonymous with a relaxed day in
the sun for families, has been rocked by the unprecedented use of
pepper spray by police to subdue rowdy fans on Tuesday.
It followed ethnic clashes last year, with
alcohol playing a part in both incidents.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said images
and pictures sent around the world of pepper spray being used was a
concern.
“Of course I was concerned about it, it’s
not a great image for the world and that coverage has gone around
the world,” Gillard told ABC radio.
Police have defended their tough action, part of
a zero tolerance policy to crowd behavior which followed violent
clashes between Serbian and Croatian fans last year.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine
Nixon suggested a ban on full-strength beer as a first move to
tackle the problem.
Tournament director Craig Tiley, who backed the
police action and insisted on Wednesday the Open’s international
reputation had not been affected, said: “We don’t rule anything
out.”
-- AFP
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