Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi arrives home: 'I want to thank all of Australia' ANTHONY COLANGELOJOE ARMAO/SYDNEY MORNING HERALD Hakeem al-Araibi is greeted by friends and supporters as he arrives in Melbourne. Refugee soccer player Hakeem al-Araibi has declared his love for Australia and thanked the public for their support after arriving home to rapturous scenes at Melbourne's airport. Araibi emerged from the airport with former Socceroos captain Craig Foster who led a high-profile media campaign pushing for his release. Araibi fled to Australia in 2014, was granted refugee status in 2017 and plays for Pascoe Vale Football Club in Melbourne. My thanks go to the wonderful people of Thailand for your support and to Thai Govt for upholding international law.

Source: Stuff February 12, 2019 03:11 UTC