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A32 sports
Diamars 11 Januari 2022

Judge says Djokovic can stay in Australia but saga not over

lianOpen,” Djokovic said in for a fourth term in polls due thought was required of him.
the post. by May.
Djokovic’s lawyers described
The back and forth has While his government was the cancellation as “seriously
caused a furor in Australia, widely praised for contain- illogical.”
where many initially de- ing the nation’s COVID-19
cried the news that Djokovic, death toll at the start of the But lawyers for Home Af-
who has been a vocal skep- pandemic, he has recently fairs Minister Andrews said
tic of vaccines, had received loosened some rules, just in their submission that the
an exemption to strict rules as omicron cases have been vaccination exemption could
to compete in Melbourne. rapidly surging. He has been only be granted for travelers
Many felt the star, who court criticized for that strategy as who had recovered from a se-
documents say is not inocu- well as for shortages of rapid rious bout of COVID-19.
lated, was being given special antigen tests and for refusing
treatment since Australians to make the tests available to “There is no suggestion that
who aren’t vaccinated face all for free. the applicant (Djokovic) had
tough travel and quarantine ‘acute major medical illness’
(AP) — Novak Djokovic lawyers before the decision restrictions. At Monday’s court hearing, in December” when he test-
returned to the tennis was made and ordered the Djokovic’s lawyers argued ed positive, the written sub-
court Monday for train- government to release him But when border police then their client did not need mission said.
ing, having won a legal from the Melbourne quaran- blocked the 34-year-old on proof of vaccination because
battle to stay in Australia tine hotel where he was held. arrival, others cried foul, say- he had evidence that he had But in the end, the govern-
to play in the Australian ing he was being scapegoated been infected with the coro- ment lawyers conceded that
Open after his exemption But government lawyer by an Australian government navirus last month. the decision to proceed with
from strict coronavirus Christopher Tran told the facing criticism for its recent interviewing Djokovic in
vaccine rules was ques- judge that the immigra- handling of the pandemic. Australian medical authori- the early hours of Thursday
tioned. But the govern- tion minister “will consider ties have ruled that people and cancel his visa before he
ment is still threatening to whether to exercise a person- The tennis star’s brother, who have been infected could contact Tennis Austra-
cancel his visa and deport al power of cancellation.” Djordje Djokovic, told tele- with COVID-19 within six lia or his lawyers was unrea-
him. vision network Prva in Bel- months can receive a tempo- sonable.
That would mean that the grade, Serbia: “This is defi- rary exemption to the vacci-
The unvaccinated tennis star nine-time Australian Open nitely politics, all this was nation rule. Djokovic was told at 5:20
was released after being con- winner and defending cham- politics.” a.m. on Thursday that he had
fined to an immigration ho- pion could again face depor- Judge Kelly noted that until 8:30 a.m. to respond to
tel for four nights — a drama tation and could miss the Spanish tennis star Rafael Djokovic had provided offi- a notice of intention to cancel
that has gripped many in tournament, which starts on Nadal called the controversy cials at Melbourne’s airport his visa. His comments were
Australia and beyond. Jan. 17. It could also bar him “a circus” and said he sup- with a medical exemption sought instead at 6:14 a.m.
from the country for three ported the decision allow- given him by Tennis Australia
Federal Circuit Court Judge years. ing his rival to play in Mel- and two medical panels. The decision to cancel his
Anthony Kelly reinstated bourne. visa was made just over an
Djokovic’s visa, which was Late Monday night, Djokov- “The point I’m somewhat hour later.
pulled after his arrival last ic tweeted out a photo that “Beyond me agreeing or not agitated about is what more
week because officials said he showed him and his team with Djokovic on certain could this man have done?” Minister Andrews did not
didn’t qualify for an exemp- standing on one of the main things, there’s no question Kelly asked Djokovic’s law- immediately responded to
tion to a rule that all non- show courts of the tourna- that justice has spoken and yer, Nick Wood. a request for comment. But
citizens be fully vaccinated. ment. He was already back has said that he has the right a spokesperson for Alex
Djokovic’s lawyers say that to training, his brother told to take part in the Australian Wood agreed that his client Hawke, minister for immi-
since he recently recovered reporters in Serbia. Open,” Nadal said Monday could not have done more, gration, citizenship, migrant
from COVID-19, he didn’t during an interview with noting that transcripts of services and multicultural
need to be inoculated. “I’m pleased and grateful that Spain’s Onda Cero radio. Djokovic’s interview with affairs, acknowledged the
the Judge overturned my visa Border Force officials and his court’s decision, adding the
The judge ruled the No. 1 cancellation. Despite all that Prime Minister Scott Mor- own affidavit revealed that minister’s personal discre-
player had not been given has happened, I want to stay rison’s conservative govern- he repeatedly told officers tion remains in play.
enough time to speak to his and try to compete @Austra- ment is seeking re-election he had done everything he

NHLPA files grievance after Sharks terminate Kane’s contract

(AP) - The NHL Play- The Sharks placed Kane on sent him to the AHL when 264 goals and 242 assists in
ers’ Association has filed unconditional waivers on The decision to terminate he was unclaimed. 769 career games, also play-
a grievance against the Saturday, saying the forward Kane’s contract ended a ing for Atlanta/Winnipeg and
San Jose Sharks for ter- violated COVID-19 proto- monthslong saga in San Jose. The 30-year-old Kane has Buffalo.
minating the remainder cols while with the AHL Bar- Kane faced accusations of
of Evander Kane’s con- racuda. Kane went unclaimed gambling on games, purpose-
tract, a person with direct over the 24-hour period, put- ly losing games he bet on, as
knowledge of the decision ting the Sharks in position to well as sexual and physical
told The Associated Press terminate the remainder of abuse from estranged wife,
on Monday. the player’s contract. Anna, over the summer.

The grievance, contend- The move will cost Kane The NHL investigated and
ing the Sharks did not have about $22.9 million from the found no evidence to support
sufficient grounds to make seven-year, $49 million deal those allegations, but did sus-
the move, was filed Sunday he signed in May 2018. pend Kane for 21 games for
night, the person said, speak- submitting a fake COVID-19
ing on condition of anonym- Kane is now a free agent and vaccination card. When the
ity because the matter is now open to sign with any team, suspension was lifted at the
in the league’s hands. while awaiting the start of the end of November, the Sharks
grievance process. placed Kane on waivers and