Refugee footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi released from Bangkok prison

Refugee footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi released from Bangkok prison
Refugee footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi has been released from a Bangkok prison after Bahrain withdrew its extradition request.The dramatic U-turn comes a week after a Thai judge sent Al-Araibi back to prison, giving his legal team 60 days to prepare their defence before the next stage in the extradition process commenced.2

Hakeem Al-Araibi attended Bangkok’s Criminal Court earlier this month

The decision will come as a huge relief to the 25-year-old, his family and friends but it is also a triumph for the global football community that rallied around him following his arrest in November when he was in Thailand on honeymoon.Al-Araibi was granted refugee status in Australia in 2017, three years after he fled there from his native Bahrain, where he claims he was tortured following the Arab Spring protests.He was later sentenced to 10 years in prison for allegedly vandalising a police station, even though he was playing in a televised match at the time.Now, Sky News claims Al-Araibi has been taken to an immigration detention centre to be issued new papers and is set to get a flight back to Melbourne, Australia.2

The football world has rallied around Hakeem Al-Araibi

Since settling in Melbourne, he has played for local side Pascoe Vale but was detained at Bangkok airport by Thai police acting on an Interpol arrest warrant issued by Bahrain.Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini, Didier Drogba, Gary Lineker and Jamie Vardy are just some of the stars who have publicly backed the #SaveHakeem campaign, with the global footballers’ union FIFPro and the World Players’ Association all lobbying hard on his behalf as well. The Australian government, FIFA, the International Olympic Committee and human rights groups also spoke out or wrote open letters to Bahrain and Thailand on the matter.In a statement, Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy director of advocacy Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei said: “This is a huge victory for the human rights movement in Bahrain, Thailand and Australia, and even the whole world.“It took 70 days to end Hakeem’s ordeal but it was possible because of the solidarity of the football community, human rights movement and all those who dedicated their time and efforts to end this injustice. Now, let’s continue the fight to release all of the political prisoners who languish in Bahrain’s prisons.”

---

Chelsea 2-1 (agg 2-2) Tottenham: Maurizio Sarri's men to face

---

Norwich have announced that every home game will see 1,500 tickets available for sale at £30 to casual home fans which, alongside 22,000 season tickets, will make up the home allocation at the 27,000-capacity Carrow Road. The £30 figure matches the cap levied by the Premier League on away tickets since 2016.
£30 price cap on Premier League away tickets 'set to be

---

Jurgen Klopp and Xherdan Shaqiri all smiles as delighted Liverpool stars head home after securing place in Champions League final. Liverpool's players and staff were pictured driving away from Anfield
Liverpool star Gigi Wijnaldum reveals 'special' relationship

---

Milan have turned down the chance to sign Gary Cahill from Chelsea during the January transfer window. According to reports in Italy, as cited on talkSPORT, the player was offered to the Serie A side after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea ace Gary Cahill wanted by AC Milan in January after

---

Cesc Fabregas is not a Chelsea legend and will be remembered for his time at Arsenal, according to John Barnes. The 31-year-old Spanish playmaker is believed to have made his farewell appearance for Maurizio Sarri's side on Saturday.

---

West Ham could wait until the end of the season before renewing contract talks with Declan Rice. Rice, the teenage midfielder, has been in discussions with the Hammers over a new deal for a couple
West Ham prepared to wait until summer for Declan Rice

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident Manchester United will be able to attract the players they want this summer - even if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League. United's hopes of
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Manchester United could attract

---

Paul Pogba to push for Manchester United exit this summer - sources The 26-year-old midfielder said back in March that he dreams of But the fear for United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rejects Paul Pogba transfer talk

---

Manchester City raise season tickets by three per cent for 2019-20 campaign… with most expensive now costing £950. The dearest season ticket costs £950, with the cheapest standing at £325
Man City increase season ticket prices again - Manchester

---

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp appears to say 'f***** hell, what a s*** game' to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at full-time. the Liverpool boss congratulated Solskjaer after hit injury-ravaged side
~ Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp appears to say 'f****** hell

---

Jurgen Klopp's record of getting teams to finals is excellent - but his success rate in them is less impressive. The Liverpool boss goes into Saturday's Champions League showpiece with Tottenham seeking to end a six-match losing run in finals.
Liverpool stun Barcelona with miracle Anfield win to reach

---

Jamie Vardy punches door in rage after Leicester's defeat to Crystal Palace in Claude Puel's final game. Leicester striker Jamie Vardy hit out in dressing room after Crystal Palace loss
Furious Leicester ace Vardy 'punches door in rage' after

---

A look at the 20 most expensive footballers by age - including Neymar, Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Virgil van Dijk and Zinedine Zidane.
18 hidden gems to watch out for at World Cup 2018 | Goal.com

---