21-05-2025
'We do not need this man here' - disgraced ex-Rovers player kicked out of Australia
Disgraced former Blackburn Rovers footballer Jay Hart is awaiting imminent deportation from Australia back to the UK after two Melbourne women successfully petitioned the immigration minister to boot him out of the country.
The Lancashire-born father of one was the subject of two intervention orders taken out by Sarah Fardy and Cara Greedy who both met Hart via dating apps.
The former Clitheroe FC, Rossendale United and Longridge Town striker was also convicted of multiple assaults and had another two intervention orders taken out against him by women in Melbourne.
After enduring alleged terrifying abuse, Ms Fardy and Ms Greedy started an online petition via urging Mr Burke to revoke Hart's visa.
Hart, 34, who has been living in Australia since 2020 on a student visa, most recently played for Sydenham Park Football Club in Melbourne but his registration was cancelled after Ms Fardy notified the club with claims of his obsessive and possessive behaviour.
Ms Fardy subsequently reported him to Victoria Police when she says Hart threatened self-harm.
'I told them my partner is suicidal, he's pulled a knife and he's threatening to take sleeping tablets every time I ask him to leave the house and give me some space,' she said.
In a video posted on social media, Ms Fardy broke down in tears after Hart's deportation was delivered to her personally via a phone call from Mr Burke.
Ms Fardy receiving the news from Mr Burke (Image: Hart, who was at the Blackburn Rovers academy, also played for Colne, Ramsbottom United, Padiham and Nelson, before a spell in Bhutan's national football league, before migrating to Melbourne.
He is currently detained in immigration detention and will be on the next flight back to the UK.
Jay Hart when he played for Thimphu City in Bhutan (Image: Archive)
In a statement, Mr Burke said: 'Last week a brave Australian woman was in touch with my office, expressing concern about the likely threat to other women caused by the continued presence in Australia of a visa holder from the UK.'
'I have clear powers to cancel someone's visa if I believe there is a risk they will harass, molest, intimidate or stalk people in Australia.
'This government has no tolerance for the perpetrators of family and domestic violence.
'There are many good people trying to come to Australia who I already have to say no to. We do not need this man here, he can leave.'
In 2015, Hart made national headlines when he was caught having sex in the manager's dugout with a female supporter wearing his Clitheroe FC shirt following a 4-1 defeat to Mossley AFC.
He was subsequently sacked by the club and his then girlfriend and mother of two Bryony Hibbert, who hails from Oswaldtwistle, branded his shocking behaviour 'a disgusting act.
