Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iran women’s football team who left their training camp on the Gold Coast to seek safety in the country.
Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iran women’s football team who left their training camp on the Gold Coast to seek safety in the country.
The five players are Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi. Their names were shared by the office of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, who currently lives in the United States.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the women were taken to a secure location by officers from the Australian Federal Police. There, they met with him and completed the process to receive humanitarian visas.
Burke also said that other members of the team could receive the same help if they wanted it. He added that Australia welcomes the Iranian women’s football team and is ready to support them.
The announcement came shortly after Donald Trump urged Australia to offer asylum to any player who wished to stay.
The Iranian team had traveled to Australia to play in the AFC Women's Asian Cup. They arrived before the conflict in Iran began. After being eliminated from the tournament over the weekend, the players were expected to return to a country facing heavy attacks.
Throughout the competition, most of the players avoided speaking publicly about the situation in Iran. However, forward Sara Didar became emotional during a press conference last Wednesday as she talked about the worries the players had for their families and friends back home.
Before their opening match against South Korea on March 2, the players did not sing the national anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This raised concerns that they could face punishment if they returned to the country.
State television in Iran has reportedly accused the players of being “wartime traitors” and threatened them.
Football’s global governing body, FIFA, said it is working with Australian authorities to make sure the five players remain safe. In a statement, FIFA said the safety of Iran women's national football team players is a top priority, and it will continue cooperating with the Asian Football Confederation and Football Australia.
Under Australian law, people can apply for asylum if they fear persecution or serious harm in their home country.
