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Tennis player Novak Djokovic has admitted he conducted an interview with a journalist when he knew he was COVID positive as more revelations about his case come to light.
Djokovic released a statement in an attempt to explain the timeline of his COVID tests.
“I want to address the misinformation about my activities and attendance at events in December in the lead up to my positive PCR COVID test result,” he said.
“This misinformation which needs to be corrected, particularly in the interest of alleviating broader concern in the community about my presence in Australia.”
“I attended a basketball game in Belgrade on December 14 after which it was reported that a number of people tested positive with COVID 19. Despite having no COVID symptoms I took a rapid antigen test on December 16 which was negative and out of an abundance of caution also took an official and approved PCR test that same day.”
“The next day I attended a tennis event in Belgrade to present awards to children and took a rapid antigen test before going to the event and it was negative. The next day on December 18 I was at my tennis centre in Belgrade to fulfill a long-standing commitment for L’Equipe interview and photoshoot. I cancelled all other events except for the L’Equipe interview.”
“This was an error of judgement and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment.”
Novak Djokovic has confirmed he attended an event while COVID positive. “Upon reflection, this was an error of judgement.” pic.twitter.com/o5ShuiFD5V
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) January 12, 2022
“On the issue of my travel declaration, this was submitted by my support team on my behalf – as I told immigration officials on my arrival – and my agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box about my previous travel before coming to Australia.”
Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabic has since slammed Djokovic for a clear violation of the country’s isolation requirements.
“No one is allowed to breach the isolation rules as it, therefore, puts the health of other people in jeopardy,” Ms Brnabic said.
“There are some standards that have to be met.
“In this case it seems to me that if he was aware of it then it was a clear violation of the rules – and what the sanctions are that’s what relevant institutions will have to look into.”
The saga over Djokovic’s exemption to enter Australia and play in the Australian Open had more stunning revelations from a German newspaper.
Der Spiegel journalists noticed a QR code on Djokovic’s COVID positive test result on December 16 which he used as an exemption for not being vaccinated.
When the journalists scanned the QR code they were taken to the Serbian clinic’s website where it came up that the test was ‘negative’. They screenshotted the evidence and then when the same QR code was scanned a few hours later it had been changed to ‘positive’.
Others on twitter also had screenshots showing the test said negative.
Another major issue appears to be the timestamps of the test.
Suspicious: Djokovic PCR result switched from negative to positive between two screenshots today https://t.co/DWggSxkQ0W pic.twitter.com/8TJ3y1R90K
— Mathieu von Rohr (@mathieuvonrohr) January 10, 2022
“The digital data suggests that the test results aren’t from Dec. 16 at all. In the digital results, there is a timestamp for 2:21 p.m. Serbian time on Dec. 26,” The report reads.
“Such timestamps are normally produced automatically by corona test systems, marking when individual tests are entered into the relevant database.”
Although there is a possible explanation for the discrepancy.
“Another possibility could be that the timestamps are generated when the tested person downloads the results from the server”.
The German newspaper speculated what the timestamps could mean if it was the alternative.
“Does that mean, then, that Djoković’s positive PCR test was taken much later than he claims? Was the test further manipulated? And how can it be explained that the digital version of the test result indicated for a short period of time on Monday, Jan. 10 that the result was negative?”
breaking: new statement from Novak Djokovic on Instagram:
– claims there has been "misinformation" about his testing/isolation
– admits he attended events in Belgrade while waiting for PCR result
– admits to "administrative mistake" on travel forms https://t.co/FNGOR1o9yk pic.twitter.com/V6HWWgDjFB— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) January 12, 2022
Twitter detectives have also scoured the internet for clues and have pointed out that the doctor attached to Djokovic’s positive COVID result appears to be a partner in his foundation which has fueled more conspiracy theories.
Great to see that Dr Milan Jovanović Batut who provided Novax Djocovid’s conveniently timed positive PCR result, is completely independent of him and they have had no prior connection…oh wait, this just in. ???? https://t.co/KxVEkFwhrW pic.twitter.com/Ur2fvfkcr6
— Kenny Mathieson (@KennyMathieson) January 10, 2022
The Federal government can still technically deport Djokovic from Australia with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke having the power to re-cancel Djokovic’s visa.
When asked, his office has stated that an investigation is still ongoing and no doubt the German newspaper report is just one avenue the government is exploring.
BREAKING: No decision on Djokovic today.
Via Alex Hawke
Mr Djokovic’s lawyers have recently provided lengthy further submissions and supporting documentation said to be relevant to the possible cancellationNaturally, this will affect the timeframe for a decision @newscomauHQ
— Samantha Maiden (@samanthamaiden) January 12, 2022
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