NOT in the Olympic Spirit

[Dave (imported)]

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London 2012: Lithuania warned over fan racism at basketball matches

guardian.co.uk, Saturday 4 August 2012 10.37 EDT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/au ... sfeed=true

A fan was fined for racism at this match. Photograph: Pool/Reuters

Lithuanian basketball officials were warned to control racist behaviour by their fans at Olympic matches, before their game against the USA on Saturday.

A Lithuania fan admitted a "racially aggravated behaviour" charge after making Nazi gestures and monkey chants during the team's win against Nigeria on Tuesday. He was fined £2,500 at a London court.

Racist behaviour in the stands will not be tolerated, the International Basketball Federation's secretary general, Patrick Baumann, said on Saturday.

"We are absolutely against any of this and we have indicated to the Lithuanian delegation that it would be better for them if they were to communicate with their fans," he said.

Lithuania, who took bronze at the 2010 world championship won by the USA, could be punished in other competitions if their fans cause further racist incidents in London.

"If it happens, it is going to have other consequences beyond the London Games," Baumann said. "This is about respecting their opponents, it is about respecting the Games, the Olympic values, and it is a celebration of friendship between people from all over the world."

Olympics organisers said racist fans are being ejected from venues.

Jackie Brock-Doyle, a spokesman for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: "If we see any, these people will be asked to leave, and that is what we have been doing."

In court on Wednesday a lawyer for the Lithuanian fan on trial said his client believed his gestures and behaviour were acceptable at sports matches at home.