Melbourne Rebels stands by Thai Airways sponsorship despite Hakeem al-Araibi controversy
Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels is standing by its sponsor, Thai Airlines, despite increasing pressure on the club to drop the deal as the al-Araibi crisis deepens.
Hakeem al-Araibi, a refugee living in Australia, has spent the last two months in a Thai jail as he faces extradition to his birth country of Bahrain on what his supporters claim are spurious charges.
Just two weeks out from the opening of the 2019 Super Rugby season and eight months before the Rugby World Cup in Japan, the Rebels announced the club would renew its partnership with Thai Airlines.
Along with the Melbourne Rebels, Thai also has a sponsorship with the A-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers. The Football Federation of Australia has pledged $10,000 to the campaign working to get al-Araibi, who plays soccer with Melbourne’s Pascoe Vale club, back to Australia.
Go Rebs!
their statements and decision is absolutely correct. this is apples and oranges
yawn… everyones offended again
The “former Socceroo and football commentator Craig Thompson” mentioned in the article bears a striking resemblance to SBS football commentator Craig Foster.