EPISODE · Feb 9, 2019 · 38 MIN
Helping Hakeem al-Araibi
from Not by the Playbook · host BBC World Service
In 2014, footballer Hakeem was sentenced to 10 years in prison for vandalising a police station in his native Bahrain. He denied the charges and having fled to Australia fearing for his safety, he missed the trial. Once in Australia he was granted political asylum in 2017. But in November, a decision to go to Thailand changed Hakeem's life forever.The Bahrain government issued a warrant for his arrest and he was detained, as a recognised refugee this shouldn't have happened.He's still in prison. Lou Tona is the chair of semi-professional club Pascoe Vale in Melbourne, Australia where Hakeem plays. He says failure is not an option and they are trying everything to bring Hakeem back home to Australia. Plus, we meet Marseille fan Mohamad Henni isn’t happy. Whenever Marsielle lose, Mohamad takes his frustrations out on his TV. He has broken over 20 TV’s so far and plans to continue. And English seventh tie side Wingate & Finchley FC will have a new coach in the dugout. Manager Dave Norman will be able to call on the AI football coach for advice on tactics and substitutions. AI football coach was developed by Big Bang Fair to help promote artificial intelligence. Wingate & Finchley director Paul Lerman and Tim Deeson say it will revolutionise semi-professional football.
What this episode covers
In 2014, footballer Hakeem was sentenced to 10 years in prison for vandalising a police station in his native Bahrain. He denied the charges and having fled to Australia fearing for his safety, he missed the trial. Once in Australia he was granted political asylum in 2017. But in November, a decision to go to Thailand changed Hakeem's life forever.The Bahrain government issued a warrant for his arrest and he was detained, as a recognised refugee this shouldn't have happened.He's still in prison. Lou Tona is the chair of semi-professional club Pascoe Vale in Melbourne, Australia where Hakeem plays. He says failure is not an option and they are trying everything to bring Hakeem back home to Australia. Plus, we meet Marseille fan Mohamad Henni isn’t happy. Whenever Marsielle lose, Mohamad takes his frustrations out on his TV. He has broken over 20 TV’s so far and plans to continue. And English seventh tie side Wingate & Finchley FC will have a new coach in the dugout. Manager Dave Norman will be able to call on the AI football coach for advice on tactics and substitutions. AI football coach was developed by Big Bang Fair to help promote artificial intelligence. Wingate & Finchley director Paul Lerman and Tim Deeson say it will revolutionise semi-professional football.
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Helping Hakeem al-Araibi
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