Drama behind Djokovic's COVID-19 court claim

2 years ago 435

Novak Djokovic's lawyers filed tribunal papers past nighttime successful his situation against deportation from Australia that amusement the tennis prima tested affirmative for COVID-19 past period and recovered, grounds helium utilized successful applying for a aesculapian exemption to the country's strict vaccination rules.

The No.1-ranked Djokovic was denied introduction astatine the Melbourne airdrome earlier this week aft borderline officials cancelled his visa for failing to conscionable its introduction request that each non-citizens beryllium afloat vaccinated for COVID-19.

Djokovic was fixed a aesculapian exemption backed by the Victoria authorities authorities and Australian Open organisers connected January 1, based connected accusation helium supplied to 2 autarkic aesculapian panels, and helium was approved for a visa electronically.

But it has since emerged that the Victoria authorities aesculapian exemption, allowed for radical who tested affirmative for the coronavirus wrong the past six months, was deemed invalid by the national borderline authorities.

In submissions filed successful tribunal past night, Djokovic's ineligible squad states the Serbian superstar had tested affirmative for coronavirus connected December 16, "and that helium had not had a fever oregon respiratory symptoms successful the past 72 hours."

The corruption was not publically announced astatine the time.

However, Djokovic attended a December 17 lawsuit successful Belgrade honouring young tennis players. The lawsuit was covered by section media, and parents posted photos connected societal media showing Djokovic and the children not wearing masks.

It's not wide if Djokovic knew the results of his trial astatine the time.

On December 14, Djokovic had attended a Euroleague hoops crippled betwixt Red Star and Barcelona successful a packed sports hallway successful Belgrade. He was photographed hugging respective players of some teams, including immoderate who soon aboriginal tested positive.

The tribunal submission said Djokovic received confirmation from Australia's Department of Home Affairs saying that his question declaration had been assessed and that his responses indicated helium met the requirements for quarantine-free accomplishment successful Australia.

The 2022 ATP Cup volition beryllium held successful Sydney from January 1-9, with unrecorded matches, highlights, mini matches and afloat lucifer replays connected Stan Sport. New customers tin commencement their escaped proceedings present by visiting: Stan.com.au/tennis

The defending AO champion is being held astatine an migration detention edifice successful Melbourne up of a tribunal proceeding connected Monday to situation the determination to cancel his visa.

Also successful the documents filed past night, lawyers assertion Djokovic was held for questioning astatine Melbourne Airport for astir 8 hours earlier being whisked distant to the Park Hotel.

They reason Djokovic was denied just process and entree to his ineligible squad during the airdrome grilling.

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!