Novak Djokovic to remain in visa limbo until Monday as he fights deportation from Australia

I, like you, absolutely want folks to follow rules. What really upsets me though is that the visa was first granted, but because suddenly folks pointed out he hasn't been vaccinated (even though he has had covid and all those natural immunities which are more effective than the anti virals by far) he did evidently warrant the exception. The spin now, though, is that his ability to produce what the local or state folks wanted him to provide is the distraction from the fact that the rule was already obviated with an exception. I don't advocate that because Novak is who he is that he be deferred to. Far from it. But what I have and continue to say is that this is a priceless example of petty tyranny by those in the state who chose to renege on their original agreement. So, as you and I both value, rules and laws are applied equally.

 

Yeap fact more have died in 2022 even after dumb dumb claimed victory over Covid in July. At least he's shut down the virus.

 

“It is a private matter and according to our law, whoever asks you, you can in some way charge him for asking you. That is an immoderate question. Too many people today allow themselves such freedom to ask things and condemn a person. Whatever you answer: "Yes, I didn't, maybe, I don't know, I'm thinking!" they will abuse it.
“The media has become…I have no word how to describe it. It spreads fear and panic among people and I don’t want to participate in that rift. I feel that everyone is hostile. I don’t want to give them a reason to write some things about me.
“Now what I told you, one of your editors can take and make a scandal out of it. I don't want to take part in any storm that is happening right now. I'm telling you, I don't know if I'll go [to Melbourne]. Of course I want to go, Australia is my most successful Grand Slam, I want to participate, I love this sport, I still have motivation.”

Seems clear to me he was saying he's not vaccinated but he's also not giving the media the scandal they want by saying so... but in any case, by applying for the exemption which had been granted by Jan 1st, everyone involved knew he was not vaccinated, so he wasn't trying to hide it from the authorities.

He is also on record from 2020: "Personally I am opposed to vaccination and I wouldn't want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel" though he has since changed his position to "It's an intimate decision, and I don't want to go into this game of pro and against vaccines, which the media is unfortunately creating these days."

In any event, he had been told that his exemption had been approved before he travelled to Australia, contrary to those in this forum suggesting he was trying to be sneaky about it. Australia apparently just doesn't have its shiz together, with some officials approving exemptions that are not recognized by other officials.

Or, as another poster suggested, they granted the exemption but are now backpeddling because their inconsitency regarding mandatory vaccination became itself a scandal.

 

Reposting from #77

SNIP
“Tennis Australia said that he could play and that’s fine, that’s their call, but we make the call at the border,” Mr Morrison said on Thursday.

“The rules are made known to all travellers. They get on a plane based on their own view that they’ll be able to meet those requirements and if they can’t, well, they can’t come in. That’s just how the rules work.
ENDSNIP

https://7news.com.au/sport/tennis/p...-novak-djokovic-in-deportation-saga-c-5203173

Yeah, seems the left hand and right hand weren't in sync here, but as somebody already said, you'd think somebody this rich would have people who would iron this stuff out before he jumps on a plane...

 

You are factually mistaken. The Visa was granted, So, your attempt to discredit is itself discredited.

 

Looks like Novak has a temporary playmate in the Hanoi Hilton

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/austra...immigration-detention-vaccines-143955123.html

 

I stand corrected....

He was apparently granted the wrong VISA, due to an error by his team

SNIP
But Djokovic is unable to proceed through passport control after a member of his support team made a critical mistake in requesting a sub-class of visa that does not apply to those who have received medical exemptions from a Covid-19 vaccine. The error had been discovered by the Australian border force while Djokovic was already travelling on a 14-hour commercial flight from Dubai to Melbourne.
ENDSNIP

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...xemption-to-play-in-australian-open-dx6gss525

 

Looks like the Australians are trying to walk this back. So much for their moral integrity.

 

First, I am not a fan of Novak. However, there are other players playing at the Aussie Open who have been given a vaccine exemption.

Novak is the defending Champion and the Big 3 in men’s pro tennis drive a great deal of revenue. This whole Visa thing seems a wee bit shady to me.

Will be interesting to see the fallout from this.

 

The panel which ''approved'' his exemption was appointed by the organisers of the Australian Open and his visa was granted by the state of Victoria where the championship is held. Both of whom have a vested interest in Djokovic being allowed to play.
However Border Control is a federal authority and they have final say in who is allowed to enter the country.
Border Control are perfectly entitled to query any visa which has been granted and they can ask further questions and demand evidence to back up the claims made in the application.
Since he arrived on a visa which does not allow for any medical exemption then the decision to refuse him entry is valid.

 

Bottom line....

But I wonder if there is time to submit and approve a modified visa under the correct category? The tourney is a full week+ away...

 

His lawyers have until Monday to produce any evidence required.

 

I agree. I wasn't trying to say it wasn't. There are posters here seeming to insinuate that Djokovic was caught trying to sneak in while hiding his status or something like that. I was trying to dispell that notion. Djokovic clearly thought he had approved entry.

 

He's certainly not been open about his vaccine status nor has he been open about why he should be granted an exemption.

 

Snap.

 

It does sound like the Australian officials were planning to let him in unvaxxed with an exception, but then changed their mind once the public became aware. If provable, that should be the real story.

 

Nope! Rules is rules

 

To me it sounds like the federal government stopped an attempt by Djokovic, the organisers of the Open and the state of Victoria to bend the rules for financial gain.

 

http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2022/January/TA-Misinformed-Djokovic-and-Players-on-Medical-Exe.aspx

Tennis Australia misinformed Djokovic and other players they could play the Australian Open without being vaccinated.

What a mess. If anyone follows the ATP, then you know Kyrgios is not exactly buddies with Djokovic. I do not always agree with Nick, but I agree with him here: http://www.tennisnow.com/Blogs/NET-...upports-Djokovic-This-is-One-of-our-Grea.aspx

 

Country has rules. Send him packing.

 

There is evidence emerging that Djokovic may have lied on his visa application. That would explain why he was stopped at immigration - he was asked to produce evidence that his visa applicatin was correct and could not. If he has lied then not only is he going home, but he could potentially face a multi year ban from Australia. The latter probably won't happen, but if he has been less than truthful he won't be playing in this year's tournament.

I don't care one way or the other about him playing, but if he hasn't met the criteria laid out for his visa and/or if he has lied then he only has himself to blame.

 

The only news I'm seeing this AM is that an Aussie court says the visa hearing needs to be Monday, denying a delay to Wednesday. Not sure who requested the delay, but this is a case that needs timely resolution if there is any chance Djokovic is going to be allowed to play.

BTW, I'm totally fine with whatever the hearing decides.... seems there were mistakes on both sides, but even though he's a stone-cold moron, I'd hate to see Djokovic not be able to play for #21 based on technicalities...

Here's my unsatisfactory resolution - Test him every 8 hours during the tourney, out of his pocket....

 

He can stay...

https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_...djokovic-visa-orders-release-hotel-quarantine

 

I'm good with any judge's ruling on this, although I would have thought there would be conditions, like frequent testing...

Seems the head of immigration can still deport and ban him for 3 years, although I'm sure nobody expects that to happen.

Will be truly interesting to see the general fan reaction to Djokovic at his first match... he's rarely the fan favorite anyway (compared to Roger and Rafa)

 

Australian government gets slapped down



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