Umm Muhammed Umar

Tennis star, Novak Djokovic, is to be detained on Saturday in a commotion over his right to remain in Australia. He faces deportation and a three-year visa ban.

Al Jazeera reports that Djokovic’s lawyers are to appeal. Djokovic, however, is reportedly still scheduled to play in the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the decision ‘to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds’ followed careful consideration.

Morrison said his government has faced heavy criticism for allowing Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, into Australia. He added, “Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected.”

Judge Anthony Kelly, at an emergency late-night court hearing after the decision was announced, ruled that Djokovic could not be deported during the appeal proceedings. A hearing, meanwhile, is expected to take place on Sunday. Djokovic, however, could be detained after he meets immigration officials on Saturday morning., but nevertheless, will be permitted to visit his lawyers’ offices ahead of Sunday’s hearing.

Djokovic’s lawyer, Nicholas Wood, said his clients visa was not being cancelled because he was a danger to the public, but because it would ” excite anti-vax sentiment”.