Petition to save detained footballer Hakeem al-Araibi receives 15,000 signatures in less than 24 hours

A petition calling on the government of Thailand to release Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi after 51 days in detention has received 15,000 signatures in less than 24 hours.

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Amnesty International's petition appeared online Tuesday afternoon and was spread across social media with many in the Australian football community adding their name to the cause. 

Al-Araibi, 26, was most recently playing for Pascoe Vale FC in Victoria's NPL after he was granted refugee status by the Australian government in 2017. 

Al-Araibi who played international football for Bahrain, was arrested and tortured in 2012 after speaking out publicly against the persecution and torture of other footballers who had criticised the ruling monarchy. 

In 2014, Al-Araibi fled to Australia and was granted political asylum. 

In early December 2018, Al-Araibi traveled to Thailand with his wife for a holiday but was arrested at the airport by Thai police after Bahrain authorities initiated an INTERPOL Red Notice. 

Amnesty International says Al-Araibi will be imprisoned and tortured if Thailand sends him back to Bahrain. 

With SBS's Craig Foster leading the charge online, numerous members of the Australian Football community have signed on including Fox Sports' Daniel Garb, former Melbourne City coach John van't Schip, Sydney FC CEO Danny Townsend, FFA Deputy Chairperson Heather Reid, CEO of Football Federation Victoria Peter Filopoulos as well as Australian cycling legend Robbie McKewen.