Novak Djokovic denied entry into Australia after visa cancelled

Novak Djokovic has been denied entry into Australia after his visa was cancelled by border force officials at Melbourne airport.

The world No 1 had announced on Tuesday that he was travelling to Australia on an “exemption permission”, but after landing in Melbourne on Wednesday evening he was held in isolation after reportedly attempting to enter the country on a visa that does not permit medical exemptions for being unvaccinated against Covid-19.

After being held for nine hours in the airport, during which he was placed in isolation in a police-guarded room, the Serbian’s visa was cancelled on Thursday morning in Australia.

An Australian Border Force statement read: “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.

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“Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia.

“The ABF can confirm Mr Djokovic had access to his phone.​”

Shortly after Djokovic’s visa was announced as being cancelled, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison re-iterated that nobody was above the country’s border rules.

“Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to borders. No-one is above these rules,” he said in a tweet.

“Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant.”

Greg Hunt, Australia’s Minister for Health, made it clear that if Djokovic does wish to try and stay in the country, he would need to follow the appropriate processes.

“It’s a matter for him as to whether he wishes to appeal that,” Hunt said in a statement. “But, if a visa is cancelled then somebody will have to leave the country.” (Skysports com)