Paul Pogba train selfie story helps to spread word on Hakeem al-Araibi with jailed refugee footballer ‘losing hope’
- Emotional former Socceroos captain Craig Foster visited the Bahrain refugee in a Bangkok prison
- Nate Patrick’s parents failed to recognise Pogba on a train and the story has caught fire online
His parents took a selfie with Manchester United’s Paul Pogba not knowing who he was, and their story went viral. So, Nate Patrick used the opportunity to highlight the plight of jailed refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, who is reportedly losing hope of being free after two months in custody.
Australian Patrick posted a story on Twitter about how his parents shared a train with Manchester United players. E-sports commentator Patrick said the players were a bit unruly during a game of Uno and Pogba apologised to his parents by offering to take a selfie with them. Patrick’s father agreed, only out of politeness, because he had no idea who he was.
His story spread like wildfire on social media and Patrick made the most of its popularity by urging Twitter users to support the #SaveHakeem campaign and to watch a YouTube video telling the story of how the former Bahraini international, who fled to Australia from his home country in 2014, ended up in a Thai jail.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Al-Araibi appears no closer to freedom, eight weeks after he was arrested at Bangkok airport on an erroneous Interpol red notice seeking his extradition to Bahrain, where he fears for his life.
Al-Araibi, in 2016, criticised Bahrain royal family member and Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa for his alleged involvement in the crackdown of dissenting athletes during the Arab spring.
The player, who turns out for Pascoe Vale in Melbourne, travelled to Thailand on his honeymoon in November with assurances from Australian authorities that he would be safe.
Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster, one of the prime activists in the campaign to release Hakeem, gave an emotional interview to SBS after visiting Hakeem in Bangkok Remand Prison, saying the player was “losing hope” but found strength in knowing that the Australian football community was supporting him.
Hakeem also asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino: “Where are you? Where is Fifa? Where are you?”
The battle to save Hakeem is nevertheless gathering pace with human rights activists and supporters using social media and other means to increase awareness about his plight and put pressure on world governing body Fifa, AFC and Australian and Thai authorities to give him his freedom
Although Fifa has publicly called for Hakeem’s release, AFC has only said they are working with Fifa and the Thai Football Association on the issue.
Many supporters fear for Hakeem’s future because Salman has the influence to withdraw the extradition order to Bahrain but has so far remained silent.
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has put up one of his jerseys for auction, with the money made from its sale going toward the #SaveHakeem fund.
Hollywood star Anthony LaPaglia has also called for Hakeem’s release on social media, while a number of clubs and players in Australia have gone on social media with various messages of support for the player.
One online activist asked: “Does Australia really care about human rights and the life of a 25 year old Melbourne football player?”
