Asian football body says it worked 'tirelessly' to free Hakeem

KUALA LUMPUR: Asia's football body on Tuesday (Feb 12) said it had worked "tirelessly" to secure the release of Bahraini refugee player Hakeem al-Araibi after coming under fire over the case.

The Asian Football Confederation said it was "extremely pleased" with Araibi 's return to Australia after he had been extradited to Bahrain.

"The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is extremely pleased with the decision to release Hakeem al-Araibi and allow him to return to Australia," the AFC said in a short statement.

"The AFC has been working tirelessly with all the members of the international community for the support of this issue."

The Araibi, who was detained after arriving in Thailand for a holiday and feared torture and even death, was sent back to Bahrain.

Araibi, who was sentenced in absentia in a case linked to anti-government protests in Bahrain, is a member of Bahrain's ruling family.

The AFC's first public statement on Araibi came back to the back of the book, and said it was seeking a "solution" to the case rather than calling for its release.