REVEALED: Djokovic may have given misleading information on the immigration form

Novak Djokovic may have misled the Australian authorities about his movements before entering the country, it emerged Wednesday reports The Times of London.

This is triggering a new investigation by border officials which could result in him being sent back to a detention centre.

The tennis star is alleged to have made a false declaration when he said he had not travelled outside his Serbian homeland in the fortnight before he arrived in Australia last week.

It was revealed Wednesday that Djokovic appeared in Marbella, Spain, on January 2, prompting the fresh investigation.

All visitors arriving in Australia are asked if they have “travelled or will travel in the 14 days prior to your flight to Australia”. They are also warned that “giving false or misleading information is a serious offence. You may also be liable to a civil penalty for giving false or misleading information”. The maximum penalty is 12 months’ imprisonment.

Alex Hawke, the immigration minister, has wide powers to cancel Djokovic’s visa on public health grounds. His office confirmed today that the minister was considering withdrawing his visa for a second time.

“As noted Tuesday in the federal circuit and family court, minister Hawke is considering whether to cancel Djokovic’s visa,” Hawke’s spokesperson said.

“In line with due process, minister Hawke will thoroughly consider the matter. As the issue is ongoing, for legal reasons it is inappropriate to comment further.”

Apparent irregularities have also been found in the Serbian certificate provided by Djokovic as evidence that he had tested positive for Covid-19 last month.

The document from the country’s Institute of Public Health states that Djokovic had a positive PCR test result on the evening of December 16.

It includes a QR code — a digital link in visual form — leading to a page on the institute’s website that was supposed to confirm the finding.

Several news outlets, including Der Spiegel, a German magazine, found that when they scanned the code Tuesday it initially displayed a negative test result. Shortly afterwards, however, it began linking to a positive result instead.

It is unclear what caused the glitch. The Serbian Institute of Public Health has yet to respond to requests for an explanation.

If Djokovic loses his visa again and is deported, he faces a three-year ban on travel to Australia, jeopardising his ability to compete in future Opens, though the minister could elect to waive the ban.

The world No 1 was released from a Melbourne detention centre on Monday night after a judge found that Australian Border Force officers had denied him procedural fairness when they cancelled his visa after his arrival last Wednesday.

They alleged the Serbian champion could not show proof that he held a lawful exemption from vaccination against Covid-19. That contention was not tested in Monday’s court hearing. Djokovic was freed because he was denied proper access to a lawyer.

Scott Morrison, the Australian prime minister, discussed Djokovic’s situation with his Serbian counterpart, Ana Brnabic, late on Monday. Djokovic’s treatment in Australia has triggered an outcry in Serbia with President Vucic saying the tennis champion was the victim of a “political witch-hunt”.

Djokovic, who practised at the Australian Open’s Melbourne arena on Tuesday, thanked the judge for overturning his visa cancellation after his release on Monday night.

The decision means the tennis player is now able to train in Melbourne

 “I’m pleased and grateful,” Djokovic said. “Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try and compete Australian Open. I remain focused on that.”

Djokovic’s mother, Dijana, said on Monday that the ruling was the “biggest victory” of her son’s career.

His father, Srdjan, called on the Queen to protect his son’s human rights.