Paul Reiffel's Australia return plans "cancelled"
Reiffel's plans to return to Australia via Doha got cancelled as that travel corridor had been shut.
AHMEDABAD (Web Desk) - The Australian government s updated travel restrictions combined with stiff quarantine requirements also had prompted Australian umpire Paul Reiffel to return home. However Reiffel, who is currently in Ahmedabad, told a couple of Australian newspapers on Thursday that his plans to return to Australia via Doha got "cancelled" as that travel corridor had been shut.
With Australia banning direct flights from India, Reiffel had packed his bags, planning to fly through Qatar.
"I tried to, but the flight through Doha, I wasn t able to go through as an Australian," Reiffel told Sydney Morning Herald and the The Age on Thursday. "They shut the avenue off. I know a couple of the guys got back that way through there, but the avenue was closed so I had to stay. Yesterday I was booked to go, but it got cancelled. I thought I d take the opportunity when I could, because you don t know what s going to happen later on."
ESPNcricinfo understands Reiffel will not be standing on Thursday evening s contest in Ahmedabad between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Reiffel has told the IPL that he has put on hold his plans to return home and will continue to officiate for the rest of the tournament.
In Reiffel s absence the IPL has appointed Yashwant Barde as the on-field umpire along with Anil Chaudhry.
