the government would be wise to accept the court’s decision:
10 Jan: news.com.au: Australian government warned against ‘petty and vindictive’ decision in Novak Djokovic saga
The Australian government may well ban Novak Djokovic for three years, but it risks committing a “massive own goal” if it does
by Matthew Sullivan
All indications are that the Australian government will follow through on its intention to detain Djokovic and evict him...
The overwhelming consensus was that the government will appear “vindictive” if it deports Djokovic and cause a “massive own goal” even if he is allowed to compete in the Australian Open.
The Australian’s Jacquelin Magnay tweeted: “Looks vindictive internationally if Australia revokes his visa again, but it will play strongly to Australians, where the unvaccinated have been demonised for months (for not supporting the public good) Aust has 90pc vax rates.”
Sports broadcaster Daniel Garb said: “It says everything about how big of a mess this whole process has been, that after all the fury that existed when it was first revealed that Novak was free to play, the government has now actually managed to garner some sympathy for him.”
Sports reporter Phil Lutton said: “Would it not now look petty and vindictive for the Federal Government to evict the world number one after he just won an appeal?
“Surely that’s an even bigger PR disaster for them than issuing a visa in the first place?”
While it appears likely he will be detained again soon after being released from hotel detention in Melbourne, pundits believe the sight of Djokovic playing at the Australian Open for a fortnight would reflect poorly on the government.
The Guardian’s Nino Bucci said: “Imagine cancelling Djokovic’s visa again and the soon-to-be best player of all time can’t play at your grand slam for three years. Or imagine not cancelling and having him rub it in your face for three weeks. Could say the Djok’s on the government.”
Political reporter Josh Taylor said: “I can’t see a way out of the Djokovic thing that doesn’t result in a massive own goal for the government. Entirely of their own creation too.”
Tennis writer Ben Rothenberg suggested the Serbian should make his way to a Melbourne Park practice court as soon as possible to make it “awkward” for the government to detain him again.
“If I were Djokovic I would get to an #AusOpen practice court *immediately*,” he said. “Take pictures of yourself being there and already part of the tournament so that — optically if nothing else — your participation looks like a done deal. Makes it more awkward for government to redetain.”
Australian doubles champion Rennae Stubbs told The Project the entire saga doesn’t reflect well on the Austalian government...READ ON
https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-government-warned-against-petty-and-vindictive-decision-in-novak-djokovic-saga/news-story/e3ca246a01069a3fe17163274de306dc
10 Jan: Tweet: Laura Jayes, Sky News Australia
Svetlana Kovacevic from the Australian Serbian Chamber of Commerce is about to be on
@SkyNewsAust
They claim the AFP is attempting to re-arrest
@DjokerNole at his lawyers office...
FOLLOW-UP TWEET BY JAYES:
It’s more likely Border Force
@AusBorderForce nor @AusFedPolice can confirm their presence...
SCROLL DOWN FOR TWEET FROM UNITED:
Last report I heard on Chris Smith tonight saying Djokovic has been taken by police to a resort style hotel / With he’s own private chef and tennis court ! Still watching Sky News Australia live as I’m tweeting / And if there was any changes it would be flashing Breaking News...
https://twitter.com/ljayes/status/1480438422783205376