Sydney FC fan Michael Stern was also in attendance at today’s protest and he implored the Australian football community to show their support.

“I feel it is important that we as Australian football fans get behind Hakeem so we can bring him back as what’s been going in Bahrain and Thailand has been an absolute travesty of human rights,” he told FTBL.

“Craig Foster has commented about the football family quite a lot and myself as a former player I feel that in another world this could have been me, my friend and anyone else you know and love.

“To be honest you feel this natural affinity and bond with Hakeem because he is a footballer and you want to do anything you can.”

Former Socceroo and human rights lawyer Francis Awaratifee has been advocating for Hakeem's release through the PFA and world players union, FIFPro said FIFA must intervene.

“In May 2016 FIFA adopted an obligation to respect human rights,” he said speaking to FTBL.

“We have a footballer here who is a human rights defender who Bahrain is seeking to bring back when International law says that shouldn’t happen and he is also protected under FIFA Statues.

“It’s a fight we have to win, if he is sent back to Bahrain it will render the policy on Human Rights a dead letter, it will be useless.

“It’s important that we stand up for human rights and sports is one way that we can demonstrate the humanity of sport and dignity.

“We have the whole of Australia behind us and it’s become an international campaign now.

“There are also going to be rallies in Berlin, Toronto and London so this is fantastic and it’s something that FIFA and international sporting bodies cannot ignore.”