Sports
Novak Australian Scandal, detention to how he got Medical Exemption documents and what his lawyer set to present in court
Novak Australian Scandal, detention to how he got Medical Exemption documents and what his lawyer set to present in court
Djokovic, whose visa was cancelled by the federal government because he purportedly didn’t meet requirements to enter the country without being vaccinated against COVID-19, will have his appeal heard Monday in a Melbourne court in a last-ditch effort to play in the Australian Open.
In that appeal, Djokovic will argue that he received a letter of clearance from the Department of Home Affairs on Jan. 1 allowing him to travel to Australia without quarantine “where permitted by the jurisdiction of (his) arrival.”
Combined with the certificate Djokovic received from the state of Victoria and Tennis Australia on Dec. 30, granting him an exemption from the vaccination requirements, Djokovic “understood that he was entitled to enter Australia and Victoria and to compete in the Australian Tennis Open,” according to the documents.
Since the decision to deny Djokovic entry at the border earlier in the week, the federal government, the state government and Tennis Australia have been pointing fingers at each other about how the world’s No. 1-ranked tennis player ended in the middle of a political morass.
Meanwhile, Djokovic’s claim that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 16 as grounds for the exemption could face scrutiny on two fronts. According to reports from The Age in Melbourne and the Sydney Morning Herald, a document from the tournament stated that the application for exemption was due on Dec. 10, at which point Djokovic hadn’t yet tested positive.
Novak Australian Scandal, detention to how he got Medical Exemption documents and what his lawyer set to present in court
Also, there are multiple social media and press accounts of Djokovic making public appearances on and around Dec. 16, including a photo he posted on social media of attending a Dec. 17 ceremony in which he was honored by Serbian government officials with a commemorative postage stamp. He was also photographed at a basketball game on Dec. 14.
It’s unclear from the documents exactly whether Djokovic’s positive test was merely received on Dec. 16 or whether that’s the date the sample was taken.
Either way, his lawyers will state that Djokovic did not receive due process at the border and that the interrogation that led to his visa being canceled was rife with procedural errors and contradictory information about access to legal representation.
Djokovic’s attorneys argue in the documents there’s a “complete disproportion between the serious consequences of cancellation … compared with the miniscule or non-existent risk to health he posed if permitted to Australia.”
Djokovic could face up to a three-year ban from entering Australia if his visa is canceled and he’s forced to leave the country.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
H. Marko lashes out at Steiner: Defend Mick Schumacher
Helmut Marko believes Mick Schumacher deserves a return to Formula 1, naming two teams he thinks would consider the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The 81-year-old Austrian lashes out at Guenther Steiner, who sacked the German at Haas F1 just under two years ago.
“Mick is one of the politest and nicest people in the whole paddock, which is a disadvantage for him. He also has the handicap of a big name,” Marko said in an interview with Sport1.de. “In sporting terms, he has already achieved a lot. He won the Formula 3 championship, he won the Formula 2 championship, that alone made him interesting for Formula 1 teams.”
Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut at Haas F1 in 2021. There, he lasted two seasons. After a disappointing season in 2022, Guenther Steiner showed him the door and they opted for more experience with Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Marko: ‘Netflix superstar’ Steiner treated Schumacher unfairly
“As far as we were concerned, there were no sporting reasons why we never got together,” Red Bull Racing’s team advisor explained. “He was a Ferrari junior at the time, but Mercedes took him into the team [afterwards]. So he wasn’t even on the market.”
“At Haas, he was not treated fairly by Netflix superstar Guenther Steiner. That’s a fact. Once you drive outside Formula 1, it becomes a difficult story. But behind the scenes, you only hear good things about him. Toto Wolff praises him to the skies. I think Alpine and Audi are seriously considering him. I wouldn’t begrudge him, because he deserves it,” Marko said.
Verstappen and Hamilton CRASH as FIA take action in Hungary
Max Verstappen was involved in a dramatic collision with Lewis Hamilton for P3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman attempted an overtake on his rival into Turn 1, going though the inside but locking up as Hamilton’s front right collided with Verstappen’s rear left.
In dramatic fashion the Red Bull was launched into the air, and was lucky to remain in the race, falling behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen has been placed under investigation by the stewards, with the FIA calling a 4.50pm UK time summons, where the sport’s governing body confirmed their findings.
F1 RECAP: Piastri claims STUNNING maiden victory as FIA announce Verstappen penalty verdict
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crash in Hungary
A nightmare Hungarian GP for Max Verstappen
It was a difficult race for the champion who went wide on the opening lap, and was forced to give the position back to Lando Norris after claiming P2.
The Red Bull star accused the Brit of running him wide, and continued to deliver a series of furious radio messages to his team during the grand prix.
Verstappen’s frustrations came to the fore as he attempted to overtake Hamilton, with the pair lucky to not be embroiled in more devastating contact.
In the end Hamilton claimed P3 and a podium in Hungary, with Verstappen languishing back in fifth.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
“It’s going to be emotional for me” – Chase Briscoe on honoring Tony Stewart’s legacy
Chase Briscoe, in a recent media session, shared his emotions about racing on the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Briscoe will be driving the No. 14 car, a number famously associated with his current team owner, Tony Stewart.
Stewart won several races and the 2011 championship with this car. He also co-owns NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), which will be shutting down after this season.
NASCAR first raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1994, which was the first race there besides the Indianapolis 500 in 1916. Since then, many different racing series have raced at IMS. As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Brickyard 400 after three years off, Chase Briscoe, who grew up in Mitchell, Indiana, faces an emotional weekend.
“It’s going to be emotional for me, I mean full transparency I cry every year just on the ride around deal so with it being on the oval and doing it in the 14 all that it’s going to be definitely, probably emotional,” said Briscoe.
“It’s really special to be back here at home in Indiana. Every race car driver dreams of racing at Indianapolis, but for me, it’s even more special because I grew up here,” he added.
Chase Briscoe eyes playoff spot and #14 legacy
A win this weekend will help Chase Briscoe secure a spot in the 2024 Cup playoffs. It would also be a fitting end to SHR’s legacy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Briscoe has raced at the Brickyard before, twice in the Xfinity Series and won on the road course layout in 2020.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever get a chance to race on the oval. So being able to do it this year means a lot to me,” Briscoe stated.
The #14 car has a special place in NASCAR history. After Stewart retired in 2016, Clint Bowyer took over and won two races in 2018. Chase Briscoe then drove the #14 in 2021 and earned his first win in 2022. Other notable racers like Fonty Flock, Hershel McGriff, and A.J. Foyt, also drove this famed car.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
Pingback: A bid by the Australian government to delay Novak Djokovic's appeal against deportation has been rejected by a judge