Hakeem al-Araibi arrived at Criminal Court in Bangkok on Dec. 11. GETTY IMAGES
Football Federation Australia execs "finally met" with Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa "more than 40 days after Hakeem al-Araibi was detained in Thailand." Al-Araibi is a "Bahraini dissident who has lived in Australia for four years." He is a permanent resident with refugee status "on the basis of his fear of persecution in Bahrain." FFA Chair Chris Nikou reportedly expressed Australia’s desire "to have al-Araibi freed and returned" (London GUARDIAN, 1/9).
Eight police officers were injured after celebrations to mark Serie A side Lazio's 119th anniversary in the center of Rome "turned violent," police said. The "skirmishes took place" at Piazza della Liberta in the center of the Italian capital, where up to 2,500 Lazio fans "gathered late Tuesday at the spot of the club's foundation" (AFP, 1/9).
Inter Milan decided not to appeal against its two-match stadium closure imposed after trouble at its match against Napoli at the San Siro. Inter asked the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) if it "can invite local schoolchildren" to the match against Sassuolo on Jan. 19 (BBC, 1/8).
