Hakeem al-Araibi, who fled the Gulf state in 2014, has refugee status in Australia and plays for semi-professional soccer club Pascoe Vale. The 25-year-old Al-Araibi, who was released from Thai detention on Monday night, was met with cheers and a throng of supporters when he exited Melbourne airport. I will die in Australia and I love Australia." International soccer body FIFA said in a statement that it is "extremely pleased" to see the footballer released from detention in Thailand and allowed to go back to Australia. FIFA in late January expressed concern over a "very worrying situation" surrounding al-Araibi, urging Thai authorities to allow him to return to Australia.

Source: The Nation Bangkok February 12, 2019 07:30 UTC