'Lost moral high ground' Morrison urged to DEPORT Djokovic if ace lied on immigration form
Tennis star Novak Djokovic is facing calls for deportation from Australia after following claims he allegedly lied on his entry form to the country.
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Djokovic reportedly stated on his entry form to Melbourne that he had not travelled from where he was staying in Spain in the 14 days prior to moving to Australia. However, his own social media presence appears to have exposed the tennis player, showing him on the streets of Belgrade on Christmas Day and posing with a Serbian handball star.
Conservative commentator Andrew Pierce called for serious consequences if the allegations prove true.
Pierce said: “If #Novak_Djokovic lied on his immigration form into Australia he's broken the law, loses any moral high ground, and should be deported.”
Part of the immigration form into Australia asks travellers if they have "travelled or will travel in the 14 days prior to your flight to Australia.”
It also contains a warning that: “Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence. You may also be liable to a civil penalty for giving false or misleading information.”
Djokovich clicked “no” on this part of the form.
However, social media posts show Djokovic playing tennis in the streets of Belgrade on December 25.
Another post, shared on the same day by Serbian handball star Petar Djordjic, shows him posing with the tennis star.
Then six days later on New Year's Eve, Soto Tennis Academy posted footage of Djokovic having a hit out on the tennis court in south-east Spain.
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The maximum penalty for providing false or misleading information to the Australian government is 12 months in prison.
The case is being investigated by the Australian Border Force.
Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has not ruled out making use of personal powers to boot Djokovic out of the country.
This would be the second time Djokovic’s visa was cancelled.
The Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnbić spoke over the phone to Australian PM Scott Morrison about the issue.
His office described the call as “constructive”, and Mr Morrison explained the importance of Australia’s non-discriminatory border policy.
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The border policy, he argued, has protected the country during the Covid pandemic.
Meanwhile, Serbia’s public broadcaster RTS reported that the Serbian PM asked Mr Morrison to make sure that the country’s tennis star was treated with dignity.
The two have said they will continue to stay in contact over the issue.
The Australian Open begins on 17 January. If Djokovic wins, he will become the most successful men's player in history.
Express.co.uk has contacted Djokovic's representatives for comment.