Nikola Mirotic apologizes for Serbian flag incident (Video)

Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic apologized over social media Tuesday for an incident involving the Serbian flag.

Mirotic, who plays internationally for Spain despite being born in Montenegro, is competing for Spain at the 2015 Eurobasket. He was frustrated after his team lost to Italy 105-98 in a Group B game Tuesday and was seen tearing a Serbian flag as he walked off the court.

Mirotic began receiving backlash and decided to write a statement over Twitter to clarify the matter.

I am deeply sorry about my reaction after the game. I did not realise that it was a flag let alone the serbian one (1/2)

— Nikola Mirotic (@threekola) September 9, 2015

I was looking at the floor due to the tension of the game and I felt something on my face. I would never offend any symbols. (2/2)

— Nikola Mirotic (@threekola) September 9, 2015

Watching the video seems to confirm what he says happened. The guy was probably upset, and he was looking down as he walked off the court. It’s just like a player tearing off his jersey after being ejected. Hopefully most people will not view this as a deliberate act of disrespect.