Doubts are now mounting over the exact date of the Covid-19 test, which came back positive, which Novak Djokovic used in his attempt to obtain a vaccination exemption before the start of the Australian Open, in order to take go to the tournament.
After several twists and turns, the Serbian player was prevented from taking part in the tournament and expelled from Australia on January 16.
Djokovic's lawyers had added two PCR tests to their client's defense file, the positive one dated December 16 and a second, which returned negative and dated December 22.
Nevertheless, the serial numbers of these tests indicate that the first could have been carried out more than a week after the date officially mentioned.
Zerforschung, a German research group, which works in partnership with the daily
Der Spiegel
, was the first to point out this anomaly.
The BBC then investigated further.
The impressive walkabout for Djokovic in Montenegro We Love Tennis - https://t.co/8NHCpRNDMh pic.twitter.com/g8Pakapc0C
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Djokovic's tests were carried out in Serbia and the results were released by the Serbian Public Health Institute.
Each test has a unique serial number.
The BBC has investigated 21 PCR tests issued by the Institute and all serial numbers appear to be in chronological order except for Novak Djokovic's positive test on December 16.
The serial number for this test is 73 71 999. It suggests that it took place between December 25 and 28, given that a test taken on Christmas Day was serial number 73 66 969 and that another carried out on the 28th has the number 74 15 312. Suddenly, the number of the negative test of Djokovic, dated December 22, is also found lower than that of the positive test...
The Serbian Public Health Institute, however, produced a document, which confirmed that the dates of the two tests of the world No. 1 were correct.
While it's possible that each test was processed in a different lab - which could explain the difference in confirmation codes - the BBC did, however, verify all 21 PCR tests in eight different labs.
Nothing shows that the latter would use separate codifications from each other concerning the numbers of the tests.
“
There is always the possibility of a glitch
, explained Djordje Krivokapic, a specialist in data and digital security, interviewed by the BBC.
But, if it was, there would be a simple explanation.
I don't see why the authorities wouldn't just say that.
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