Australian government prepares case to DEPORT Novak Djokovic as investigation hones in on ‘inconsistencies’ in tennis star’s statement – amid concern letting him stay sets a ‘dangerous precedent’
The Australian Federal Government is tonight still preparing paperwork to try and boot Novak Djokovic out of the country, with sources warning letting him stay would set a ‘dangerous precedent’.
It is understood the government is willing to receive harsh backlash internationally over the issue in order to maintain its ‘tough on Covid’ border stance.
The world no. 1 was originally set to be given the boot after being detained at an immigration hotel over the weekend but won a battle in the Federal Circuit Court to remain in the country and chase his 10th Australian Open title.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is set to hand down his decision on Thursday with bureaucrats from the Department of Home Affairs’ investigating inconsistencies in the tennis star’s story.
Djokovic, who is a vaccine sceptic, attempted to address a number of concerns about the situation in a lengthy statement posted to his Instagram page on Wednesday but several questions still remain.
Of most concern to Australian officials is Djokovic’s admitted breach of Serbia’s isolation rules after learning he had tested positive, false information on his travel entry form which he blamed on his agent and lingering mystery around when the 20-time Grand Slam winner actually learned he had Covid.
Pictured: Novak Djokovic during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open, in Melbourne, Australia January 11, 2022
Novak Djokovic with his wife Jelena. He has hit out at ‘misinformation’ over claims he tested positive to Covid and then attended an event with children
The 34-year-old disclosed he had attended an event with children while he was Covid positive, but claimed he didn’t know he was infected until afterwards.
Djokovic has been the subject of intense scrutiny for presenting awards to kids at a at the event in Belgrade on December 17 – a day after recording a positive result for the virus.
The Serbian maintained he was not aware of his diagnosis until shortly after but did admit to conducting an in-person interview with French newspaper L’Équipe knowing he was positive.
He called his decision to go ahead with the Q and A an ‘error in judgement’ but said he maintained social distancing and wore a mask.
‘I want to address the continuing misinformation about my activities and attendance at events in December in the lead-up to my positive Covid test result,’ he on social media.
‘This is misinformation which needs to be corrected, particularly in the interest of alleviating broader concern in the community about my presence in Australia, and to address matters which are very hurtful and concerning to my family.’
Novak Djokovic (pictured at a training session on Wednesday) has addressed questions about his positive Covid test in mid-December