After some 11 weeks of excruciating limbo, and with numerous heroic efforts here in Australia and elsewhere to free the refugee footballer, Hakeem al-Araibi, now vindicated, it is time to look at the implications.

The Bahraini regime's defence with regards to the case of football player Hakeem Al-Araibi is focused on his right to "appeal a 10-year prison sentence". The state depicts the judiciary in the country as if it’s "more honorable than honor itself!"

The Asian Football Confederation said on Saturday that President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa had had no influence on their handling of the case of a Bahraini player arrested in Thailand in November over a prison sentence in his homeland.

Head of World Players Association said Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa should be disqualified from his positions as vice-president of Fifa and president of the Asian Football Confederation if Hakeem Al-Araibi is returned to Bahrain, the Guardian reported.

FIFA said it has been in regular contact with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the Bahraini footballer arrested in Thailand in November over a prison sentence in his homeland, Reuters reported.

FIFA stated that Mr. Hakeem Al-Araibi, who is currently being detained in prison in Thailand awaiting the outcome of extradition proceedings to Bahrain, should be allowed to return safely to Australia where he can resume his career as a professional footballer.

The results of the meeting of Football Federation Australia (FFA) President Chris Nikou with Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa were completely negative, said Yahya Al-Hadid, president of the Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights.

The Australian SBS website stated that Craig Foster, former Socceroo and current SBS commentator, has challenged the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to support Australian refugee footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi or resign.

ADHRB sent a letter to Vice President of FIFA, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, calling on him to support and endorse FIFA’s call to allow footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi, currently detained in Thailand, to return to Australia rather than have him deported to Bahrain, where he potentially faces torture and abuse.

Thailand’s government should ensure that Hakeem Ali Mohamed Ali al-Araibi, a recognized refugee, is not returned to Bahrain, said Human Rights Watch. If returned, he would face an imminent risk of wrongful detention and ill-treatment by Bahraini authorities.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized President of the Asian Football Confederation, Bahrain’s Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, for voting against a Palestinian proposal to halt Israeli football matches on occupied territories.

Several European newspapers launched severe attacks against the member of the ruling family in Bahrain, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who is considered to be the prominent candidate for FIFA presidency, in the exceptional elections held in Zurich, Switzerland.