Seven Iranian women’s soccer team members have been granted protection by the Australian government after expressing fears about returning to their homeland, officials announced Wednesday.
Two additional team members – one player and one support staff member – accepted Australia’s humanitarian visa offer, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. This follows five other players who received asylum protection just one day prior.
“I made them the same offer that I made the five players the night before,” Burke explained to the media. “If they wanted to receive a humanitarian visa for Australia, which would have a pathway to a permanent visa, I had the paperwork ready to execute that immediately.”
Australian authorities conducted individual conversations with most team members at Sydney’s airport, explaining their options before the remaining players departed the country. Burke emphasized the careful approach taken during these discussions.
“What we made sure of was that there was no rushing, there was no pressure. Everything was about ensuring the dignity for those individuals to make a choice,” Burke stated during his press conference in Canberra.
Several players consulted with their families before ultimately declining Australia’s protection offer. Those who chose to leave have continued their journey to Iran via Kuala Lumpur.
The safety concerns intensified after Iranian state television branded the team as “wartime traitors” for their refusal to perform the national anthem during their Asia Cup competition in Australia.
The team’s tournament participation coincided with military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Their tournament run ended with elimination on Sunday.
Iranian expatriates in Australia organized demonstrations against their home government, surrounding the team’s transportation on the Gold Coast as they departed for the airport. Additional protesters gathered at Sydney’s airport Tuesday evening during the team’s transfer to international departures.
Iran’s prosecutor general’s office extended an invitation for the remaining team members to return home “with peace and confidence,” according to Iranian news outlets reporting Tuesday.
