Djokovic gets medical exemption while Indian teen denied entry to Aus Open.

[CaliforniaDrumming]

Vaccine inequity in operation. Novak Djokovic gets a medical exemption from being vaxxed for the Australian Open, while a 17-yr-old Indian player is denied entry because India has not begun vaccinating the under 18.

gulfnews.com/sport/tennis/australian-open-indian-tennis-teen-slams-double-standards-on-djokovic-1.84772010

The Australians don't fuck about with their borders.

I don't think they will back down on this.

I am actually a bit sad that we won't get to see how the Aussie crowd reacts to him

There is always next year....maybe!!

Good. He is an arrogant idiot.

@KeepingAnOpenMind

Quite a few footballers and other athletes have suffered myocarditis and collapsed after being vaccinated so it is understandable that a top athlete is reluctant.

He has also recovered from Covid and thus has antibodies.

Surely even the most ardent Mumsnet Covid Cultist would be happy with an antibody test or LFT to prove this athlete is Covid free? Given the potential side-effects, isn’t it right for an athlete who has made incredible sacrifices to be cautious?

Given that the majority of the UK are against vaccine mandates it is interesting that many posters on this site apparently support this draconian measure.

Open mind?

OK

www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-coronavirus-fifa-idUSL1N2SL1NJ

Nope. FIFA haven't heard about that.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10314165/Football-seen-worrying-spike-cardiac-arrests-heart-related-issues-2021.html

Nope. Clubs, insurers, sports medecine professors don't recognise that

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/coronavirus-vaccine-your-questions-answered/covid-19-vaccines-and-myocarditis-should-you-be-worried

Nope. BHF disagree and include this These rumours began after Denmark’s Christian Eriksen suffered on-field cardiac arrest during Euro 2020 in the summer. Inter Milan have since confirmed that he had not yet been vaccinated at the time of his collapse.

Wanna play Covid Mythology some more?

@KeepingAnOpenMind

Australians are currently barred from doing almost anything at all unless they are vaccinated. Many were refused permission to see dying relatives because of Australia’s strict border rules. I think it is entirely appropriate that he follows the rules that all other Australians follow.

Finally, some good news!

He shouldnt be let in hes vehmently anti vax and hasnt mentioned a medical exmption before all this

if another player isnt allowed in why should he?

I am actually a bit sad that we won't get to see how the Aussie crowd reacts to him

Me too!! They don't hold back out there! 😂

I see both sides of the argument but letting him in sends the wrong message

One rule for him, one for the everybody else

Sounds like Animal Farm where everyone was equal but some were more equal than the rest

@EngTech
What is the other side of the argument exactly?

@ShmeevilWeevil

I don't particularly like djokovic but he is probably the greatest tennis player of all time. It would seem unfair to deny him the opportunity to compete and prove his GOAT status because he hasn't been vaccinated. Perhaps the tournament should have been moved to a remote island somewhere to avoid this situation.

Agree and want to add. He suffers from coeliacs and Serbia like many Eastern European countries has a very anti vax culture. Sadly a lot of the hatred for Djokovic is rooted in racism/aversion to ‘other’

Really? Australia is a very multicultural country. I would think any dislike of Novaxx is down to his being an arrogant entitled wanker.

I hope he has to leave but he’s appealing and I think he’ll win

He must have a private plane so he's probably not too fussed if he really is being sent back.

He has apparently been taken to a quarantine hotel and will leave Australia tomorrow.

Just think of the viewing figures.. they’ll have to let him in now. Everyone has their bad guy to spice things up.
He’s not my favourite player but is he really THAT bad? In interviews is charming enough and the Croatia thing was an attempt at getting previously warring countries in the arena.
As for following ‘Australian’ border rules, it’s an international tournament FFS. And the money comes from the grand slam winners, all sport is about money. Making villains is about money. It’s gross but true. Saying he has to follow Australian rules is like saying gay athletes shouldn’t be allowed into the many countries where homosexuality is illegal to participate in temporary events. Diplomatic immunity should exist within sport. And yes, it should apply to all tennis players from all over the world who can qualify for AO. I think even Djokovic would agree with that one.

The Australian PM has just tweeted that Novak's Visa has been cancelled. They surely won't do a U turn after that, will they?

As for following ‘Australian’ border rules, it’s an international tournament FFS.

It is the Australian Open, held in Australia, and the Australian Border Force have said: “The ABF can confirm that Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled."

There is always some kind of drama at the Australian Open. Craig Tiley seems to celebrate it, not that I’m saying this is of his making. But there is always something.

@thetinsoldier

The Australian PM has just tweeted that Novak's Visa has been cancelled. They surely won't do a U turn after that, will they?

Nope, they won't. Even if the Croatian President weighed in, and he did.

Dishhh

"Nope, they won't. Even if the Croatian President weighed in, and he did."

Why would the Croatian President comment on an issue with a Serbian national?

It is a simple case of he hasn't met the criteria.

On the face of it - TA & The Vic Government have done a dodgy - they don't grant exemptions - the Federal Border Force do.

Its all bullshit. Scotty from marketing has only weighed in because his approval ratings are in the toilet and he is trying to curry favour with voters. Given Melbourne was one of the longest locked down cities in the world and the rest of us have lived with fucking draconian rules, I am 1500000% in support of the backlash against him being given entry.

Businesses have been destroyed, 90% of us have rolled up our sleeves, so it would just be wrong to bend the rules for this arrogant tool.

To be fair the Tennis Australia administration have form for dodgy decision making - last year's tournament was also dogged with controversy.

Are you suggesting his visa was cancelled because he is eastern European?

Good. The covid denier antivax nobber can fuck off home.

@ilovesooty

Good. The covid denier antivax nobber can fuck off home.

^ this