Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has distanced himself from a decision to deny the head of the Palestine Football Association a visa ahead of his team’s World Cup qualifier with the Socceroos in Perth.
The background: Palestine Football Association president Jibril Rajoub, who is also a politician and chairman of the Palestine Olympic Committee, was denied entry to Australia and was not aboard a private plane carrying players that arrived in Perth on Saturday.
On Sunday, Football Australia said the decision was a matter for the government and the organisation provides visa support to all visiting football delegations.
Albanese also distanced himself from the decision, saying he did not personally decide to reject Rajoub’s visa application.
The key quote: “These decisions are made at arm’s length by the bodies, by the Immigration Department.” — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
What else to know: The Department of Home Affairs does not comment on individual cases but a spokesperson said all non-citizens applying for visas are considered on an individual basis against migration legislation.
What happens now: The Socceroos will play the Palestinian national team on Tuesday night in a World Cup qualifier. Australia beat the Palestinian team 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Kuwait in November.
Source Agencies
