A Dutch volleyball player convicted in 2016 of raping an underage girl has been denied a visa to Australia to compete in next month’s Beach Volleyball World Championships.

Steven van de Velde, now 31, was 19 when he was found guilty of sex with an underage girl.

The Dutch Volleyball Association said in a statement that it was 'aware this could happen', given Australia’s strict policy on issuing visas to people with convictions.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds explains further.

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