Nigel Farage has shared his support for Novak Djokovic amid his Covid vaccination row in Australia. The Honorary President of Reform UK has revealed he’s holding talks with Djokovic’s family and has provided more details on his current situation.
The 34-year-old, publicly opposed to Covid vaccination, arrived in Melbourne from Dubai on Wednesday to defend his Australian Open title this month after receiving a medical exemption by Tennis Australia.
However, he was denied entry at border control. After several hours, he was taken to an immigration detention centre before Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed he was being held under federal rules.
Djokovic’s visa was later cancelled, causing mass uproar locally and worldwide, with many supporters gathering outside his hotel to offer support.
The record nine-time Australian Open champion now awaits the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to determine whether he can remain in the country on Monday.
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Taking to Twitter on Saturday, Farage revealed inside information on Djokovic’s treatment after his high-profile detainment at Melbourne Airport.
He said: “I am talking with the Djokovic family, and they are clear that Tennis Australia, in line with Victoria state law, allowed Novak to come to Australia as he had proof of a positive PCR test within the last 6 months.
“He was then arrested, his phone and wallet taken. When the Australian Home Affairs Minister says Novak Djokovic is free to leave, she is NOT being straight.
“Unless he makes an appeal, he will face an automatic three-year visa ban — so has to stay in prison conditions until the hearing on Monday. If they can do this to the world’s number one tennis player, just think what they could do to you.”
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Farage stepped down as the leader of Reform UK, formerly the Brexit Party, in March 2021, replaced by party chairman Richard Tice.
And Tice’s recent social media activity suggests he disagrees with Farage’s views.
On Friday, he tweeted: “Australia is a sovereign nation entitled to make its rules. Whatever we may think of them. Novak Djokovic is entitled to his own medical decisions.
“But he is not entitled to ignore Aus rules, nor demand to be treated differently. If he doesn’t like it, stop whining and just leave.”