Australia Denies Visa for Convicted Rapist Steven van de Velde in Volleyball Event
Australia has officially denied the visa application of convicted rapist Steven van de Velde for the upcoming Beach Volleyball World Championships. This decision prevents the Dutch player from participating in the event scheduled in Adelaide starting November 14.
Background on Steven van de Velde
Steven van de Velde, aged 31, was previously convicted in 2016 for the rape of a 12-year-old girl. At the time, he was 19 years old and had engaged in online communications with the victim for several months prior to the offenses, which occurred in 2014. He received a four-year prison sentence but ultimately served only 13 months before returning to the Netherlands, where his sentence was adjusted to align with local laws.
Dutch Volleyball Team’s Response
The Dutch beach volleyball team confirmed that Van de Velde’s visa was rejected. Heleen Crielaard, the technical director of the Dutch volleyball association, expressed disappointment but acknowledged that they had anticipated this outcome. She stated that they had provided all necessary documentation to the Australian authorities to argue for his eligibility to compete.
Despite the setback, the Dutch team has decided not to replace Van de Velde and his teammate Alexander Brouwer. As a result, they will compete in the tournament with only five teams instead of six.
Impact on the Tournament
- Event: Beach Volleyball World Championships
- Location: Adelaide, Australia
- Date: Begins November 14, 2023
- Number of Participants: Reduced to five Dutch teams
Van de Velde remarked that he had anticipated difficulties obtaining a visa due to his past and Australia’s policies. He expressed acceptance of the decision, confirming that his team was aligned in their response to the situation.
