Novak Djokovic faces deportation after Australian government revokes his visa for a second time | Tennis News

January 14, 2022 admin

World No 1 Novak Djokovic had been waiting since a judge overturned the original decision on Monday to find out whether Immigration Minister Alex Hawke would use his powers to reimpose the penalty.

Last Updated: 14/01/22 7:09am

Novak Djokovic faces deportation after the Australian government revoked his visa for a second time.

The world No 1 had been waiting since a judge overturned the original decision on Monday to find out whether Immigration Minister Alex Hawke would use his powers to reimpose the penalty.

Just before 6pm (7am UK time) on Friday, Hawke released a statement saying he had made the judgement to send Djokovic home “on health and good order grounds”.

Hawke said: “Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.

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Novak Djokovic has admitted to making an ‘error of judgement’ by attending an interview and photoshoot with a French newspaper after testing positive for Covid-19 last month

“The decision followed orders by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on 10 January 2022, quashing a prior cancellation decision on procedural fairness grounds.

“In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic.

“The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Novak Djokovic – Sequence of events

January 4 – Djokovic announces he will be travelling to Australia with an ‘exemption permission’.

January 5 – While Djokovic is airborne, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the athlete will be on the “next plane home” if he cannot provide “acceptable proof” that his exemption is legitimate.

Acting Sports Minister Jaala Pulford highlights that the local government of Victoria, where the Australian Open is held, will not support Djokovic’s visa application.

The world No 1 arrives at Melbourne Airport around 11.30pm local time.

January 6 – Around 3.15am, Djokovic’s father reports that his son is being held in isolation in Melbourne Airport.

At 5am, Goran Ivanisevic releases an image on social media of himself and another member of Djokovic’s team seemingly waiting for the world No 1. The post is captioned, ‘Not the most usual trip Down Under’.

Around 8.15am local time, Djokovic’s visa is confirmed to have been denied by the Australian Border Force.

Djokovic is moved to quarantine hotel while his legal team appeal visa cancellation.

The appeal against his visa cancellation is adjourned until Monday (Jan 10) morning Australian time.

January 7 – Australia Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews says Djokovic is “free to leave any time” and is not being detained.

Djokovic breaks silence in Instagram post on Friday, thanking his fans for their “continuous support”.

January 8 – Submission from Djokovic’s lawyers on Saturday reveals positive Covid-19 test in December.

January 9 – Home Affairs Minister Andrews has a submission to delay the hearing until Wednesday (Jan 12) rejected by Judge Anthony Kelly.

Submission from Australian government lawyers says Djokovic had not been given an assurance he would be allowed to enter the country with his medical exemption.

January 10 – Djokovic wins appeal. Judge Anthony Kelly quashes visa cancellation, and orders the Australian Government to pay legal costs and release Djokovic from detention.

Djokovic takes to social media to confirm that he remains intent on competing at the Australian Open.

January 12 – Djokovic posts on Instagram admitting to making an “error of judgement” by attending an interview and photoshoot with a French newspaper after testing positive for Covid-19 last month.

January 13 – Djokovic drawn against Miomir Kecmanovic in opening round as visa decision looms

“I thank the officers of the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force who work every day to serve Australia’s interests in increasingly challenging operational environments.”