The Australian Federal Court is set to release its reasons for dismissing the case of Novak Djokovic in his deportation scandal
The Australian Federal Court says it will provide the reasons for the decision to dismiss Novak Djokovic’s challenge against the cancelation of his visa in a live-streamed session on Thursday, January 20.
Djokovic lost his legal bid to remain in Australia on Sunday when a panel of three federal court judges ruled unanimously in favor of the government’s decision to revoke the world number one’s visa for a second time.
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![John McEnroe (left) has backed Novak Djokovic © Stacy Revere / Getty Images for The Laver Cup](https://cdni.rt.com/files/2022.01/thumbnail/61e5946820302711bc3f3127.jpg)
Djokovic, who is unvaccinated but arrived in Melbourne with a medical exemption ahead of the Australian Open, had won his first legal battle against the decision to cancel his visa upon arrival.
However, that triggered the personal intervention of Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke into the case, with the government arguing that Djokovic’s continued presence could excite anti-vaccine sentiments among the local population.
In announcing the decision to dismiss Djokovic’s appeal on Sunday, Chief Justice James Allsop said the judges did not reflect on “the merits or wisdom of the decision,” but rather whether it was “irrational or legally unreasonable.”
More reasoning behind the decision will be provided in a live-streamed court session on Thursday at 05:15 GMT (16:15 local time in Melbourne), when Allsop will read out the details, according to Reuters.