Netherlands beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who has a criminal record for child rape, has been denied entry to Australia for the upcoming world championships. The 31-year-old was set to compete at the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide next month, but his visa application was rejected by the Australian government.
Tony Burke, the minister for home affairs, emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Australians in their communities. Van de Velde, acknowledging the potential visa complications due to his criminal history, expressed acceptance of the decision in a statement released through the Dutch Volleyball Association.
Both Van de Velde and his doubles partner, Alexander Brouwer, will not be participating in the competition, as confirmed by the Dutch volleyball association (Nevobo). Despite providing all necessary documentation to support Van de Velde’s participation, the association’s technical director, Heleen Crielaard, stated that the visa denial was regrettable but had to be respected.
Van de Velde, who committed the crimes at the age of 19 in 2014 and served a jail sentence before resuming his athletic career, faced calls for exclusion from the Paris Olympics last year. The International Olympic Committee clarified that it couldn’t intervene in the Netherlands’ athlete selection process. Volleyball Australia’s chief executive, Andrew Dee, highlighted the focus on organizing a successful world championships despite the visa controversy.
The Beach Volleyball World Championships, scheduled from November 14 to November 23, are anticipated to be a significant event in the sport. Additionally, Sky has announced a discounted TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming season, offering an increased number of live Premier League matches to viewers.
