Two Iranian women’s soccer players who decided to stay in Australia after requesting asylum have started training with a professional club as they establish new lives in the country.
Midfielder Fatemeh Pasandideh and defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh were part of a group of seven Iranian delegation members who received humanitarian visas due to concerns about potential persecution upon returning to Iran following their participation in the women’s Asian Cup tournament held in Australia.
Safety concerns arose when the athletes refused to sing Iran’s national anthem prior to their first match on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Iranian government media called them “wartime traitors,” with their tournament participation occurring during U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran.
However, five members from the original group later reconsidered Australia’s asylum protection and chose to go back to Iran.
The Brisbane Roar A-League team from Queensland shared on social media that the two remaining players joined their women’s squad for practice on Monday.
“Brisbane Roar officially welcomed both Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh to the club’s training facilities…and remain committed to providing a supportive environment for them whilst they navigate the next stages,” stated CEO Kaz Patafta.
Club photographs showed both athletes meeting Brisbane Roar team members and participating in shooting practice exercises.
“Thank you for everything,” Ramezanizadeh, age 33, commented on the club’s Instagram post.
The 21-year-old Pasandideh shared an Instagram story on Monday featuring a photograph with FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis in Brisbane, adding the message “everything will be fine.”
Meanwhile, their previous teammates departed Malaysia heading back to Iran. The squad was observed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday evening boarding an Oman Air flight, though their final destination remained unconfirmed.
