العربية
The Australian Football Federation (FFA) has canceled a proposed training camp in Thailand for its Under-23 men’s national team in a show of support for Hakeem Al-Araibi, the refugee footballer who is fighting extradition to Bahrain.
The squad had been set to face China in Bangkok as part of the side’s preparation for the upcoming AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers in March.
But the pre-tournament camp is now in the process of being moved as international outcry at the treatment of Al-Araibi grows.
The FFA wrote in a statement on Wednesday: “Australia’s national teams are united in their support for Hakeem al-Araibi.”
Al-Araibi, who fled Bahrain in 2014, holds refugee status in Australia, where he plays for semi-professional Melbourne-based club Pascoe Vale. He was arrested and detained while on his honeymoon in Thailand at the request of the Bahraini government.
At his most recent court appearance on February 4, it was announced that both sides would have until April 5 to prepare their respective cases before presenting evidence on April 22 as part of the extradition process.
However, according to a spokesperson for Thailand’s attorney general’s office, Al-Araibi could remain jailed in the country until August, with the case likely to take between two and three months before a verdict is reached.