Novak Djokovic ordered to leave Australia after visa mishap, Serbian president calls for the entry of the athlete into the country

Novak Djokovic ordered to leave Australia after visa mishap, Serbian president calls for the entry of the athlete into the country — “whole of Serbia is behind him!”
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic was reportedly ordered to fly out of Australia on Thursday after the Australian Border Force rejected his visa.

The world number one has been the subject of headlines recently after his entry into the country to compete at the Australian Open was questioned on whether he has enough supporting evidence for his vaccine exemption, as well as the potential incorrect visa application.

It was also reported that the 34-year-old athlete is currently in the process of contesting the decision through the Victorian state judicial system.

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Novak Djokovic’s visa to enter Australia was cancelled. Credit: Getty Images.

A statement issued by the Australian Border Force on its decision to reject Djokovic's visa read: "The Australian Border Force will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our laws and entry requirements."

"The ABF can confirm that Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled."

"Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia."

"The ABF can confirm Mr Djokovic had access to his phone."

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called for the entry of Djokovic in Australia, saying that the "whole of Serbia" is behind the athlete.

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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic claimed that the “whole of Serbia” is behind Djokovic. Credit: Reuters.

“Our authorities are taking all measures to stop the harassment of the best tennis player in the world in the shortest possible period," he said.

“In accordance with the norms of international public law, Serbia will fight for Novak Djokivic, for justice and truth. Otherwise, Novak is strong, as we all know him.”

Djokovic's father said that the athlete was taken to a guarded room at Melbourne airport — separated from his team — where he was questioned until at least 5 am.

“Novak is currently in a room where no one can enter,” he told Serbian media outlet B92.

Meanwhile, Djokovic's coach Goran Ivanisevic took to Instagram to express his disappointment over the hostility of the authorities to them, posting a photo from the airport at 5 am with a caption saying: “not the most usual trip down under”.



Credit: Instagram


The Victorian government said that it rejected the request to sponsor the athlete’s visa just hours before he landed in Melbourne late on Wednesday night, claiming that there were concerns over whether Djokovic had enough evidence and documentation to prove the reason for his exemption.

Djokovic was said to be infected by COVID-19 during the 2020 Adria Tour event, which he himself organised in the Balkans.

However, a source from the federal government said that it was not clear whether the claims were sufficient to allow the athlete to enter the country under federal guidelines.

It should be noted that evidence of reasons for vaccine exemption is required at the border for unvaccinated people.

Acting Victorian Sports Minister Jaala Pulford claimed that ABF officials reached out to the state government hours before Djokovic landed in Melbourne in an attempt to allow the entry of the Serbian tennis superstar to the country on a visa that did not permit medical exemptions for being unvaccinated.

However, she said that the federal agency's request was rejected.

While Ms Pulford's account claimed that ABF was working closely with the Victorian government to handle the situation, the ABF said that the account was not true.

“ABF did not request Victorian government support for a visa. ABF reached [out] to the Victorian government to validate their public statements about their support for his entry, and whether Victoria had further information related to his medical exemption documentation,” an ABF spokesperson said.

Ms Pulford posted a tweet on Wednesday night regarding the Victorian government's decision to not support Djokovic’s visa application.





“The federal government has asked if we will support Novak Djokovic’s visa application to enter Australia. We will not be providing Novak Djokovic with individual visa application support to participate in the 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam,” she wrote.

“We’ve always been clear on two points: visa approvals are a matter for the federal government, and medical exemptions are a matter for doctors.”

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said in a statement “any individual seeking to enter Australia must comply with our strict border requirements”.

“While the Victorian government and Tennis Australia may permit a non-vaccinated player to compete in the Australian Open, it is the Commonwealth government that will enforce our requirements at the Australian border."

While Tennis Australia confirmed that the majority of exemption applications from players or officials came from those who had the virus in the past months, both the organisation and the Victorian government implored Djokovic to explain to the public why he should be granted a medical exemption to enter Australia without proving his vaccination status.

The Serbian tennis superstar has been outspoken about his stances on vaccines and has refused to reveal the grounds for his medical exemption.
 
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I was listening to the radio and the American news is saying that the Australian government is harassing Novak Djokovic. I hold the opinion that America should butt out of Australian politics and respect our sovereignty.

On Instagram, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić vowed to "fight" for Djokovic to be able to enter Australia, and said he would use all diplomatic avenues available to Serbia to help the player.

"I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him," Mr Vučić wrote.

"Our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world's best tennis player is brought to an end, (my emphasis) immediately. But this is not harassment. Novak was unable to support his claim for exemption so he shall be deported. This is not a political issue. This is a legal requirement for anyone and everyone to enter Australia. Even you had to undergo a medical examination to gain visa entry to Australia.
 
he should have to abide by the rules, just because he is a world class tennis player does not exempt him from the rules of any country and if he is made exempt what happens when the next person thinks he should be let through. If they are the rules of the country it should be abided by, why have rules if they are going to be changed for every one who think he above the law just because he is rich or the sport he plays
 
I was listening to the radio and the American news is saying that the Australian government is harassing Novak Djokovic. I hold the opinion that America should butt out of Australian politics and respect our sovereignty.

On Instagram, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić vowed to "fight" for Djokovic to be able to enter Australia, and said he would use all diplomatic avenues available to Serbia to help the player.

"I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him," Mr Vučić wrote.

"Our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world's best tennis player is brought to an end, (my emphasis) immediately. But this is not harassment. Novak was unable to support his claim for exemption so he shall be deported. This is not a political issue. This is a legal requirement for anyone and everyone to enter Australia. Even you had to undergo a medical examination to gain visa entry to Australia.
He is lucky he wasn't taken to the detention centre or he might have learnt what harassment was all about. ;) And yes, America needs to mind their own damn business. Get your own affairs in order & sort out your own country before you start telling other s what to do. Just so glad l don't live in America, it treats its residents worse than a 3rd world country unless they are rich.
 
I was listening to the radio and the American news is saying that the Australian government is harassing Novak Djokovic. I hold the opinion that America should butt out of Australian politics and respect our sovereignty.

On Instagram, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić vowed to "fight" for Djokovic to be able to enter Australia, and said he would use all diplomatic avenues available to Serbia to help the player.

"I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him," Mr Vučić wrote.

"Our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world's best tennis player is brought to an end, (my emphasis) immediately. But this is not harassment. Novak was unable to support his claim for exemption so he shall be deported. This is not a political issue. This is a legal requirement for anyone and everyone to enter Australia. Even you had to undergo a medical examination to gain visa entry to Australia.
Well said.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
 
I was listening to the radio and the American news is saying that the Australian government is harassing Novak Djokovic. I hold the opinion that America should butt out of Australian politics and respect our sovereignty.

On Instagram, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić vowed to "fight" for Djokovic to be able to enter Australia, and said he would use all diplomatic avenues available to Serbia to help the player.

"I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him," Mr Vučić wrote.

"Our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world's best tennis player is brought to an end, (my emphasis) immediately. But this is not harassment. Novak was unable to support his claim for exemption so he shall be deported. This is not a political issue. This is a legal requirement for anyone and everyone to enter Australia. Even you had to undergo a medical examination to gain visa entry to Australia.
 
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Hi Chris, Here is where the confusion lies. Greg Hunt, the Health Minister said last year that 'no vax, no entry' and the diagnosis to covid-19 within the 6 months of entry to Australia "did not apply". (my emphasis).
Djokovic contracted the virus within the 6 months prior to entry to Australia. Other tennis players or officials who were in a simular circumstance were allowed in (and the ABF are now investigating those people (albeit after the fact).
The ABF were / are operating in accordance with Greg Hunt's direction which is in contrast to the Australian government criteria. So, that is where the confusion and there lies Novak Djokovic's grounds for appeal. The Health Minister has one rule (for everyone who is associated with the tennis competition) and the existing rule for everyone else.

I learnt about the discrepancy last night.

I am frustrated by countries and/or people who blatantly treat our country with contempt. I was of that opinion in the first instant but I have since learnt that Djokovic was acting in good faith.

However, I am not satisfied that his arrogant attitude to not telling the Australian government earlier. That is inexcusable in my opinion.
 
Hi Chris, Here is where the confusion lies. Greg Hunt, the Health Minister said last year that 'no vax, no entry' and the diagnosis to covid-19 within the 6 months of entry to Australia "did not apply". (my emphasis).
Djokovic contracted the virus within the 6 months prior to entry to Australia. Other tennis players or officials who were in a simular circumstance were allowed in (and the ABF are now investigating those people (albeit after the fact).
The ABF were / are operating in accordance with Greg Hunt's direction which is in contrast to the Australian government criteria. So, that is where the confusion and there lies Novak Djokovic's grounds for appeal. The Health Minister has one rule (for everyone who is associated with the tennis competition) and the existing rule for everyone else.

I learnt about the discrepancy last night.

I am frustrated by countries and/or people who blatantly treat our country with contempt. I was of that opinion in the first instant but I have since learnt that Djokovic was acting in good faith.

However, I am not satisfied that his arrogant attitude to not telling the Australian government earlier. That is inexcusable in my opinion
 
Are we the laughing stock of the rest of the world or what? I've just seen a piece on the tv that said he could still be given permission to play tennis while his court case was being heard. How stupid would that be? Escort him out, we don't want him here. Here we play by the rules, not make our own up. Should he be allowed to play we should all boycott the stadium and the tv stations refuse to film and show it.:mad::mad::mad::mad:
 
Hi, Yes I do agree with you, he should not play. The matter should be finalised by the courts first and then the appropriate action taken accordingly (should he play or return to Serbia). But to play whilst the outcome of his appeal has not been finalised is nonsensical.
 
Hi, Yes I do agree with you, he should not play. The matter should be finalised by the courts first and then the appropriate action taken accordingly (should he play or return to Serbia). But to play whilst the outcome of his appeal has not been finalised is nonsensical.
It makes no sense to let him play until the Court decides. I feel it is a matter of money talks.
 
Kick him out Pres "the whole of Serbia is behind him" the last thing we want is the whole of Serbia here without visas. Also be sure to make him pay court costs when his idiotic bid fails.
 
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Hi Liz, You are right there. Money does talk. Novak Djokovic is a major 'draw card', being number one in the world of tennis.

If he wins his appeal, just imagine how many people (supporters) will pay for the tickets to see him perform, he is a tennis player first but also a showman.

Then there are the ticket scalpers for his event. (It's a shame I don't live in Melbourne). Bugger.
 
Yesterday, correspondence emerged which showed Tennis Australia was warned about the criteria for the granting of visas to international tennis players.

In November, Health Minister Greg Hunt wrote to Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley warning that players who sought to enter the country would not be granted vaccine exemptions if they had recently contracted COVID-19.

Victoria’s Acting Premier Jacinta Allan said Tennis Australia did not share that information with the state government.

"That was correspondence between the Commonwealth government and Tennis Australia. I'm advised that members of the Victorian government hadn't seen that correspondence,” she said.

Ms Allan said the state government only sought to assess whether players could be granted a vaccine exemption for events held in Victoria.

“It's the Commonwealth government that is responsible for issuing visas and how they engage in that dialogue with bodies like Tennis Australia is a matter for them.”


Reference: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01...migration-detention-australian-open/100743442
 
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