Former Socceroo and current SBS commentator, Craig Foster, has joined protesters in Melbourne and Sydney, on the day of the Asian Cup Final, calling for the immediate release of Hakeem al-Araibi and while praising the sluggish but welcomed recognition of the urgency by FIFA was critical of the disgraceful handling of the situation by the AFC including the Bahraini AFC president Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa’s response.



Mr al-Araibi, who lives in Australia and is a permanent resident, is facing deportation to Bahrain after he was arrested on an Interpol red notice when he arrived in Bangkok a fortnight ago. He is well-known in Bahrain, having played for the national football side before playing for Victorian football clubs, including Pascoe Vale.



In front of fellow protestors and the media on the Opera House forecourt and standing in front of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Foster began: “This is a humanitarian disgrace and a horrendous injustice regarding one of our residents and one of our football community – Hakeem al-Araibi.



“This is about showing the rest of the world how much Australia cares and about showing Bahrain what’s going to occur in future.

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“This issue is only escalating. [Bahrain] need to withdraw their heinous extradition order which is contrary to international human rights law.



Among the protestors wearing #SaveHakeem shirts, holding banners and waving flags were Australian football identities Francis Awartefe, Bonita Mersiades and Simon Hill.



Foster also wanted to let the Thailand Government, Prime Minister and Chief of Immigration Police know that Australia’s Prime Minister has articulated strongly the desire of the Australian Government and Australian people that Hakeem should be released immediately.



“This is not just a young player. This is not just a young refugee who hasn’t seen his wife for almost two months. This is a young man who has been tortured by [Bahrain] and Thailand is contemplating sending him back there.”



RELATED ARTICLE: ‘Just not right’: Craig Foster leads protests as Australians rally for release of Hakeem Al-Araibi



Foster also spoke of his recent conversations with two of biggest sporting organisations in the world, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).



During his visit to FIFA this week he had the opportunity to speak to the Secretary General, Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura of Senegal, in what was a lengthy and strenuous discussion, in which the outcome was that FIFA had recognised the urgency of this situation and that Mr al-Araibi needs to be rescued.



While Foster said he was yet to reach full agreement with FIFA on the matter he wants to see Thailand and Bahrain threatened with suspension from football by FIFA and the IOC.



“It’s simply not acceptable to incarcerate and torture athletes and then expect to remain a member of FIFA and the IOC.



“We’re calling on FIFA and the IOC to put sanctions on the table now.



“[Thailand] mistreating one of our players or even one of theirs is not acceptable if you believe in the values of sport, the values of football and of course the values of humanity.”



Thailand along with Indonesia are seeking to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.



“We will not stop until Hakeem is back with his wife and we’re certainly hoping for good news.



“There will be protests in our professional leagues this weekend, which I’m delighted about, and we’d like to see that happen elsewhere around the world.”



Click here to watch the SBS Live Stream of the Media Conference on Facebook.



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