Calls for FIFA bans in support of Araibi

Global football players’ federation FIFPro says FIFA is bound by its own statutes to impose sanctions on Bahrain and Thailand.

Hakeem al-Araibi is escorted to a courtroom in Bangkok on Monday. Picture: AFP

Global football players’ federation FIFPro says FIFA is bound by its own statutes to urgently impose sanctions on Bahrain and Thailand over the detention and attempted extradition of Bahraini Australian footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, and has demanded a ban on all international games in the two countries until the case is resolved.

FIFPro vice-president Francis Awaritefe, a former Socceroo turned lawyer, says Araibi’s case is a key test of the world soccer body’s 2016 adoption of human rights commitments in an era in which countries with “terrible” human rights records are increasingly using sport as a whitewash.

Awaritefe is in Thailand this week lobbying for the release of the 25-year-old Bahraini Australian who has been held by Thai authorities since November 27, when he was arrested on an Interpol red notice, erroneously — and since withdrawn — as he arrived with his wife for their honeymoon.

Araibi now faces extradition to Bahrain — the country he fled in 2014 after he was rounded up with other pro-democracy protesters and tortured — notwithstanding international law prohibiting the return of a UNHCR refugee to the country from which they fled.

He has 60 days to fight his extradition.

Awaritefe told The Australian the spectacle of the young footballer, who had “committed no crime”, shuffling in leg shackles into Bangkok Criminal Court on Monday for the beginning of his extradition hearing had hardened his resolve to secure his release.

“He is a refugee and a human rights defender. On these two factors alone he should not be extradited. Yet what we have here in Thailand and Bahrain is an egregious violation of his internationally recognised human rights,” he said.

“It is time the international sporting family sent the message to Thailand and Bahrain that if they won’t comply with international human rights norms then they won’t be welcome.

“FIFA has enormous power and it is now up to them to use that power for good by calling for Bahrain to cease its extradition request, and on Thailand to release Hakeem al-Araibi back to Australia and his wife.”

FIFA adopted its human rights statute in 2016 — part of efforts to reform a body stained by corruption allegations — committing itself, all affiliates and subsidiaries, to upholding and promoting international human rights.

Among its explicit commitments is to take “adequate measures” to protect human rights defenders, “including by using its leverage with the relevant authorities”.

“This is the first time it’s been tested and that’s why this is a critical fight; because if you don’t enforce a human rights policy that is supposedly binding it becomes useless,” said Awaritefe, whose organisation represents 65,000 football players worldwide

FIFA also has a representative in Thailand this week, Federico Addiechi, who told reporters on Monday that FIFA was “committed to protecting human rights” but had not yet discussed sanctions.

Addiechi, Awaritefe and Craig Foster, the former Socceroo captain who has led the campaign to free Araibi, were meeting Australian ambassador-designate to Thailand Allan McKinnon yesterday.

Former Australian soccer captain Craig Foster, left, and vice president of FIFPro Francis Awaritefe wait to meet Hakeem al-Araibi as he arrives at the criminal court in Bangkok on Monday. Picture: AP

McKinnon on Monday urged Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha to use his executive powers to free Araibi and to “consider the ramifications” on the country’s diplomatic and sporting relationships.

Araibi fled Bahrain in 2014 but was convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ jail in absentia for vandalising a police station, despite clear evidence he was playing in a televised match at the time. He has since been granted refugee status and Australian residency.

His supporters say he has made a powerful enemy in Asian Football Confederation chairman sheik Salman Al-Khalifa.