Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League Clubs, in partnership with Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), will show their unified support for Hakeem al-Araibi this weekend with joint team photos prior to each match behind a #SAVEHAKEEM banner.
FFA CEO David Gallop said that FFA has been working with the relevant agencies to advocate for the release Hakeem al-Araibi who is an Australian resident and player at Pascoe Vale FC.
“We have been in regular contact with the Australian Government, FIFA and AFC regarding Hakeem’s case since his detention and have also raised the matter with the Football Association of Thailand,” said Gallop
“FFA, together with FIFA and AFC, are united in calling for Hakeem al-Araibi’s human rights to be respected and for him to be returned to Australia where he holds the status of Permanent Resident and has been assessed as a refugee”
“We also applaud the outstanding efforts of the football community in Australia who have expressed their support for Hakeem. We encourage all Australians to continue their efforts to have Mr al-Araibi return to his family and home safely,” concluded Gallop.
Members of the football family can show their support for Hakeem by completing the online petition at Amnesty.org.au (https://action.amnesty.org.au/act-now/savehakeem-tell-thailand-to-release-refugee-footballer)
