Dutch Volleyballer And Convicted Child Rapist Steven Van De Velde Denied Australian Visa

Netherlands formation volleyball subordinate and convicted kid rapist Steven van de Velde has been banned from entering Australia for nan looming world titles.

Van de Velde had been named successful a Dutch squad to title nan world championships successful Adelaide starting connected 14 November, but nan Australian authorities rejected his visa application.

“The authorities will proceed to usage each instrumentality we person disposable to guarantee that Australians tin beryllium safe and consciousness safe successful their communities,” Tony Burke, nan curate for location affairs, said.

In 2016, nan Dutchman was sentenced to 4 years successful jailhouse aft pleading blameworthy to 3 counts of raping a 12-year-old British woman he initially met connected societal media.

The offences took spot successful August 2014, erstwhile Van de Velde was aged 19.

Van de Velde served 13 months of his condemnation and resumed his volleyball profession successful 2018.

Volleyball Australia main executive Andrew Dee was told of nan government’s determination connected Tuesday morning.

“As section organising committee, our attraction remains connected ensuring we present a spectacular world championships,” Dee said.

“It will beryllium nan biggest formation volleyball arena successful nan world this twelvemonth and nan first clip we will person 9 Aussie teams proudly wearing nan greenish and gold. That is what we each should now attraction connected and celebrate.”

Last year, Van de Velde competed astatine nan Olympics, when he was jeered by spectators. He and teammate Matthew Immers mislaid a quarter-final successful Paris.