Seven members of the Iranian women’s soccer team stayed in Australia while the rest returned to Iran. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that five players received humanitarian visas due to safety concerns about returning home. Additionally, a player and a staff member are seeking asylum.
The team was eliminated from the Women’s Asian Cup after losing all matches. Prior to a game, some players remained silent during the national anthem, interpreted by hardliners in Iran as a rebellious act, leading to threats against their families before subsequent games. Concerns grow over potential persecution upon their return.
Iran’s attorney general encouraged the team to return, framing their actions as influenced by external provocations. Supporters at the team bus expressed solidarity, shouting “save the girls,” and reports indicate players gestured for help inside the bus. Amid threats to their families, five players applied for asylum, with human rights advocates raising alarms about the players’ welfare. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has been called upon to ensure the players’ safety but has not commented.
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