The case of Novak Djokovic that ended with his deportation from Australia this Sunday before the start of the Australian Open in Melbourne it has crossed borders and has not only become a subject of political dispute between Serbia and Australia, but also within the Madrid City Council.
And it is that the interest of the Mutua Madrid Open in being able to host the Serbian despite his declared anti-vaccine stance (which would prevent him from playing in many countries that already require a vaccination certificate) has been the latest reason for discord between the municipal government and the opposition.
Everything is motivated by the declarations of the mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, who was in favor of ‘Nole’ being able to play in the Madrid tournament. “We cannot forget that Djokovic is number one in the world and a great publicity claim for the tournament.”
Some statements that have not liked in the socialist group in the City Council. Its spokesperson, Mar Espinar, was very critical of Almeida as a result of these statements. “It gives me the impression that the mayor has lost his oremus. To say that a self-confessed anti-vax claim is a claim makes me think that the mayor has lost his common sense… if he ever had it.” The Djokovic case also plagues Madrid politics.
Pedro Sánchez: “The sanitary regulations are to be complied with”
The President of the Government, Pedro Sanchez, met this morning in La Moncloa with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz. In said act, he also stated that “Any athlete who aspires to compete in our country” will have to “comply with the health regulations in Spain”.
Asked about the words of the mayor of the capital, assured that “without the intention of polemicizing”, Sánchez emphasized the words of the German chancellor that “the sanitary norms are to be fulfilled”.
Begoña Villacís recalls that Djokovic could enter the country
The deputy mayor of Madrid, Begona Villacis, has mentioned that the Spanish regulations “would admit” the entry of the Serbian tennis player to the country, since “it has to be the same for Djokovic”.
In the press conference that he offered in the Plaza de la Villa, Villacís has not hidden that she is “concerned” about their possible presence, as it is “an anti-vaccination claim.” In addition, he has pointed out that he is much closer to Rafa Nadal “not only tennis-wise.”
Critical stance of the opposition
The spokeswoman for Más Madrid in the Assembly, Mónica García has also criticized Martínez-Almeida’s words on her Twitter account.
At City Hall, the spokesperson for Más Madrid, Rita Maestre has pointed out in a tweet that “the best claim is responsible athletes”.