England footballing icon Gary Lineker has mocked Boris Johnson in a cheeky question aimed at tennis star Novak Djokovic. The former striker referenced alleged parties taking place at No 10 Downing Street during lockdown as he took a swipe at Djokovic.
Djokovic, the men’s world No 1 in tennis, is facing a fight to remain in Australia ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 17.
The Serbian was initially granted a medical exemption by Tennis Australia to enter the country, as he is unvaccinated.
However, the 34-year-old was detained in a state-run immigration facility upon arriving in the country and was told he faced deportation.
A judge then sensationally overruled that decision following an appeal by Djokovic.
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But that is not the end of the matter. Australia’s immigration minister, Alex Hawke, can overturn the judge’s verdict if he wishes to do so.
Djokovic’s defence is based on the fact that he claims to have tested positive for COVID-19 on December 16.
However, he was seen at events on each of December 16, 17 and 18. Questions have therefore been raised over whether he breached rules in Serbia.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Djokovic conceded that he had broken rules to conduct an interview and photoshoot with French newspaper L’Equipe on Dec 18 and apologised.
At the time, large outdoor gatherings in England were banned.
Eleven parties that are alleged to have taken place in Government buildings while the United Kingdom was under strict guidance over social gatherings are being investigated by civil servant Sue Gray.
Johnson has refused to reveal whether he attended any of the alleged parties and has said he will not comment until Gray concludes her investigation.
“All that, as you know, is the subject of a proper investigation by Sue Gray,” he said on Tuesday.
Pressed on whether he had been interviewed by Gray, he added: “All that is a subject for investigation by Sue Gray.”