The federation's vice-president, Sheikh Salman, has been silent on the issue of fellow Bahraini Hakeem AlAraibi's arrest and detention — in direct contravention of FIFA's own statutes.

Bernard Tomic again provides fireworks off the court, as he reopens old wounds with a blistering attack on Lleyton Hewitt and his role as Australia's Davis Cup captain.

Andy Murray's time at the Australian Open has possibly ended once and for all, with the injury-plagued star showing plenty of guts in a five-set first-round loss to Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.

Ashleigh Barty and Alex de Minaur, having arrived at the Australian Open as stars on the rise, do not disappoint their growing legion of fans with clinical victories first up in Melbourne but Bernard Tomic makes an early exit.

His chances of claiming a second Australian Open crown may have been questioned because of injury, but 17-time major winner Rafael Nadal makes an encouraging start to his Melbourne Park campaign.