They did not want to pose with the Ukrainian flag with the phrase “Stop war” and were booed all over the stadium

Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to have its effects on the world of sports and this weekend, in the run-up to a basketball match between Zalgiris and the Red Star for the Euroleague, the attitude of the Serbian team, which refused to take the flag of the country suffering from aggression with the message “Stop War”, generated the reaction of the audience, who in unison booed and whistled at the protagonists, showing their discontent.

Sport was a channel for solidarity with the Ukrainian people who have been under attack by the Russian army since February 24, whose government is under Vladimir Putin. Several federations that govern different disciplines took measures to sanction Russia, such as preventing athletes from that country from participating in international events. Also figures from different fields showed their repudiation of the situation in Ukraine.

In training on the pitch, members of Zalgiris, from Lithuania, showed a flag in the colors of Ukraine with the phrase “Stop War”, in solidarity with Ukraine for the Russian invasion. His audience applauded the gesture. However, the players of the Serbian team refused to take the flag, which led to the rejection of the public, who booed and whistled representatives of the Red Star of Serbia. The most targeted was his former power forward, American Aaron White, who played two seasons between 2017 and 2019. The reaction was heard from all four sectors of the Zalgirio Arena stadium.

The episode spread on social media and went viral. That is why this Monday the Serbian club decided to issue a long statement in which it explained why its players did not take the flag, arguing it was a decision that its members had already made and reported before the match.

“Red Star, as a sports club and representative of the Republic of Serbia, which took a clear position on the conflict in Ukraine, follows the official stance of our country. In official communication with Euroleague and Zalgiris, it was made clear a few days before the match in Lithuania that politicization will not be allowed and a banner with the colors of any country will not be held because that would make it part of the manipulation and politicization of one of the most humane and universal slogans 'Stop The War',” says one of his paragraphs.

Zalgiris won 103-98 in a frantic definition in a very close match, in which the victory could have been for anyone, as they finished evenly in regular time and forced extra time. The match against his people also served as a farewell to one of the emblems of the local team, Paulius Jankunas, who scored 8 points in overtime to give victory to the Lithuanian champions, who achieved their eighth victory in the league, in which they placed last among 15 teams, while Barcelona is above all. While the Red Star marches in eleventh position.

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