Camila Giorgi alleged fake COVID19 vaccine certificate
2 min read
Italian player Camila Giorgi is being investigated after she allegedly used a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate to play the 2022 WTA season, including last year’s Australian Open.
Explosive details allege that Giorgi was never vaccinated against COVID-19 after she asked her family doctor, Daniela Grillone, to provide a fake record for all mandatory vaccines, including COVID-19.
Grillone was previously arrested and charged by Italian police in February last year for vaccinating hundreds of people with mock injections at her clinic in Veneto.
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As a part of the investigation, the Italian newspaper la Repubblica initially reported Giorgi was also being looked into by police for using a fake certificate.
Now, speaking to local newspaper Corriere del Veneto, Grillone has confirmed Giorgi was in fact never vaccinated against COVID-19.
« The Giorgi family has been under treatment with me for a long time, » she said.
« Camila Giorgi suffered from the so-called tennis elbow. Shortly before the beginning of summer. She had come asking for the possibility of obtaining false attestations of all the mandatory vaccines, as well as the COVID vaccine.
« I can confirm with absolute certainty that none of the vaccines against the Giorgi family has actually been administered. I have not received any payment in that case.
« I am deeply upset and sorry for my action. »
The current world No. 66 reached the third round of last year’s Australian Open, succumbing to eventual champion and local hero Ash Barty.
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Ahead of the tournament, the Australian government imposed proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or relevant travel exemption, as a requirement to enter Australia. This was was supported by the AO’s organisers to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for all players.
It was this ruling that saw Novak Djokovic infamously deported days before.
Last year, the United States also required a compulsory COVID-19 vaccination to enter the country, but Giorgi played three tournaments there, including the US Open.
Giorgi is currently in Adelaide, where she lost her qualifying match to contest to the Adelaide International, in preparation for the Australian Open starting on January 16.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, proof of providing false documents could see a person have their Australian visa application denied or cancelled.
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