Fresh reports claim that Djokovic is being investigated by three countries over travel while unvaccinated — here’s how Aussies are reacting
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Fresh reports claim that Djokovic is being investigated by three countries over travel while unvaccinated — here’s how Aussies are reacting
Judge Anthony Kelly may have handed down Novak Djokovic's visa cancellation verdict but the federal government still has the power on whether the world number 1 will be allowed to stay in the country, legal experts say.
It’s said that Federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is currently weighing whether he will exercise "the personal power of cancellation" on Novak's appeal to stay in Australia.
Legal experts said that the final decision on whether Djokovic will be allowed to stay in Australia is up to the federal government. Credit: AAP Image.
Government lawyer Christopher Tran said that if the Immigration Minister would decide to cancel the tennis star's visa, it would mean that he would be unable to return to Australia for three years.
Radio broadcaster Neil Breen said that there's a huge possibility that Mr Hawke will cancel Djokovic's visa, noting that the move would spark another legal challenge.
“There is word the Govt will cancel Novak Djokovic’s visa today - and that will lead to this scenario. His legal team will file an injunction, which will be heard tomorrow. Djokovic will be drawn to play in Oz Open as top seed,” he said.
“Injunction will be granted - case heard next week."
“He will then play, meaning he could be thrown out mid-tournament if the court upholds Minister’s decision. Fun times ahead.”
Political journalist Paul Bongiorno also predicted that the minister will overturn the ruling at the Federal Circuit Court on Monday.
“I am hearing @AlexHawkeMP will boot out the Joker tomorrow,” he tweeted.
It comes after fresh reports on Djokovic’s alleged quarantine breach in multiple countries emerged.
Spanish publication COPE reported that the Spanish authorities are investigating the tennis star over his arrival in the country to train for the Australian Open, claiming that agencies are looking into whether Djokovic entered the country illegally.
Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg revealed that Spains’s immigration policy for “unvaccinated tourists” stipulates that they are not allowed to enter the country unless they prove that they are “essential” workers.
Fellow tennis reporter Gaspar Ribeiro Lanca tweeted: “Breaking news: COPE reports that the Spanish Government is now investigating whether unvaccinated Novak Djokovic entered the country illegally in late December.”
“Since September 20, citizens from Serbia need a vaccine certificate OR a special exemption to enter Spanish territory but so far the authorities say they did not receive any request from Djokovic.”
This means that the athlete is also being investigated by his home country for breaking quarantine protocols to attend an interview and a photoshoot even after testing positive.
On Wednesday, Djokovic released a statement on Instagram admitting that he knowingly attended an interview and photo-shoot with French newspaper L’Equipe while Covid-positive, saying that he “didn’t want to let the journalist down” and calling it an “error of judgment”.
Credit: Instagram/@djokernole
The full statement read:
“I want to address the continuing misinformation about my activities and attendance at events in December in the lead up to my positive PCR COVID test result.
This is misinformation which needs to be corrected, particularly in the interest of alleviating broader concern in the community about my presence in Australia, and to address matters which are very hurtful and concerning to my family.
I want to emphasise that I have tried very hard to ensure the safety of everyone and my compliance with testing obligations.
I attended a basketball game in Belgrade on 14 December after which it was reported that a number of people tested positive with COVID 19.
Despite having no COVID symptoms, I took a rapid antigen test on 16 December which was negative, and out of an abundance of caution, also took an official and approved PCR test on that same day.
The next day I attended a tennis event in Belgrade to present awards to children and took a rapid antigen test before going to the event, and it was negative.
I was asymptomatic and felt good, and I had not received the notification of a positive PCR test result until after that event.
The next day, on 18 December I was at my tennis centre in Belgrade to fulfill a long-standing commitment for a L’Equipe interview and photoshoot. I cancelled all other events except for the L’Equipe interview.
I felt obliged to go ahead and conduct the L’Equipe interview as I didn’t want to let the journalist down, but did ensure I socially distanced and wore a mask except when my photograph was being taken.
While I went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, on reflection, this was an error of judgement and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment.
On the issue of my travel declaration, this was submitted by my support team on my behalf – as I told immigration officials on my arrival – and my agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box about my previous travel before coming to Australia.
This was a human error and certainly not deliberate. We are living in challenging times in a global pandemic and sometimes these mistakes can occur.
Today, my team has provided additional information to the Australian Government to clarify this matter.
While I felt it was important to address and clarify misinformation I will not be making any further comment out of utmost respect for the Australian Government and their authorities and the current process.
It is always an honour and a privilege to play in the Australian Open. The Australian Open is much-loved by players, fans and the community, not just in Victoria and in Australia, but around the globe, and I just want to have the opportunity to compete against the best players in the world and perform before one of the best crowds in the world.”
Meanwhile, Aussies have been voicing out their opinions on Djokovic’s apparent entitlement to enter the country despite government protocols on unvaccinated people.
One such commentary that gained attention was the leaked conversation between 7News Melbourne presenters Rebecca Maddern and Mike Amor.
In the leaked conversation, Rebecca was heard saying: “Whatever way you look at it, Novak Djokovic is a lying sneaky a***hole.”
To which Mike Amor responded with: “He got a bulls**t f***ing excuse and then fell over his own f***ing lies. It's just what happens, right, that's what happened.”
A mole leaked a private conversation between news presenters Rebecca Maddern and Mike Amor about Djokovic’s visa mishap. Credit: Seven.
While the leaked conversation was criticised by the fans of the tennis star, Aussies defended the newsreaders, arguing that they were just saying what every other Australian wants to say about the matter.
One Facebook user wrote: "She just said what everyone else was thinking."
"Good on them. It was a private conversation and they only said what most of the Australian public think," another agreed.
Others said that the newsreaders 'had every right' to share their opinion.
One Aussie wrote: "I actually don't see a problem with it. She was having a conversation with someone not knowing it would be put out there."
"She has an opinion. Agree or don't agree with her, [but] she is entitled to her opinion," another added.
A third chimed in: “She’s not wrong!”
Credit: Facebook
Channel Seven said that they are currently tracking down the mole responsible for leaking the duo's hot mic rant, assuring that the person would be dealt with.
'The illegal recording was of a private conversation between two colleagues,' Seven's Director of News and Public Affairs Craig McPherson said.