Bahrain Mirror: Former Australia captain Craig Foster considered, in an article published in The Guardian newspaper, that the release of Hakeem Al-Araibi is a win for humanity, for the power of citizens of the world demanding that human rights be protected, indicating that it is the beginning of a broader fight for the values of sport.

"If the people of the world decide that we value human life above unjust laws, retribution and royal edicts, who is to stop us after all?" Foster said.

"We fought for one soul because Hakeem represented everyone who suffers under tyranny and, through him, we hope to build a better world."

Foster believed that if this case would be the beginning of Thailand implementing refugee laws in line with international norms, "if so, each of the almost 80 nights that Hakeem spent in incarceration would at least represent another life saved in coming years."

"This campaign showed what sport can be, and our job as former players or athletes is to ensure that all sport becomes the vanguard for human rights," he stated.

Foster also acknowledged Fifa secretary-general, Fatma Samoura, who escalated the response of the organization following our urgent meeting in Zurich.

He promised to work to ensure all those in positions of governance that were willing to sacrifice the life of one player while occupying positions of influence and prestige, whether in football, the Olympic movement or any other sport, are expunged.

Craig pointed out that this has shone a particularly bright light on the atrocities against athletes of 2011/12 in Bahrain and we want to see a full investigation into the matter by both Fifa and the IOC to ensure that justice is done for all athletes, not only Hakeem.

Arabic Version