A Melbourne rugby union team has "apologised unreservedly" after its announcement of a new sponsorship deal with Thai Airways was slammed as "tone deaf" and "appalling" on social media.
The Melbourne Rebels announced the 2019 deal on Tuesday night via Twitter, as Melbourne football player Hakeem Al-Araibi remained in a Thai jail.
"Disgraceful. Are you tone deaf to the people of Australia? A fellow athlete is being held illegally in Thailand and you announce this," responded one Twitter user, while another said it was "the worst bit of PR from a sports club I've ever seen".
"As a foundation member of the club, I’m asking you to reconsider this," said another.
The Melbourne Rebels have been slammed for a "tone death" sponsorship deal announcement. Source: Twitter
Amnesty International Australia responded to the announcement and said, "it was important for Melbourne Rebels to show solidarity with their sporting brethren".
Mr Al-Araibi has been held in a Thai prison since November 27 after he was arrested under an invalid Interpol red notice while entering the country for a holiday. The footballer had been was sentenced to 10 years' jail in absentia by Bahrain for alleged vandalism, but he denies any involvement.
The Bahraini refugee and semi-professional football player, who has been living in Melbourne, is now facing a return to his home country after an extradition hearing began in Bangkok on Monday, where he appeared in leg restraints shouting "don't send me to Bahrain".
Late on Monday night the Melbourne Rebels Tweeted an apology and said they had not meant to cause any offense with the announcement.
"This commercial relationship with an airline is no way intended to be an endorsement for the breach of any individual's rights or the actions of any government," they wrote.
"We support the movement to #SaveHakeem and will use our new relationship with the airline to engage them directly."
Shortly after the Rebels released the apology, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha spoke out for the first time about the situation and told reporters "not to jump to conclusions" about the outcome.
"The Foreign Ministry is coordinating with the two countries, both Australia and Bahrain to find a solution for this issue," he said.
Former Socceroos captain Craig Forster has been calling on the international sporting community to help lobby for Mr Al-Araibi's release.
Last month, Foster said FIFA should consider sports sanctions against football federations in Thailand and Bahrain.
The Melbourne Rebels have been contacted for comment.
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