With two exceptions, Iran women’s soccer team returns home after players sought asylum

Athletes greeted by officials at border after silence during national anthem prompted calls for punishment by regime-linked media; 2 players stay in Australia on humanitarian visas

Iran’s national women’s soccer team returned to the Islamic Republic after several of the players sought asylum in Australia, Iranian media reported Wednesday.

The outlets shared footage of the players entering Iran after landing in Turkey and taking a bus to the border, where they were greeted by some officials.

Two Iranian female players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, chose to remain in Australia after claiming asylum there, and have since been training with the Brisbane Roar club.

Another five players, who initially accepted humanitarian visas granted by the Australian government after the team was knocked out of the Women’s Asian Cup, changed their minds and said they would return to Iran.

Iran’s squad arrived in Australia for the tournament shortly before the Iran war began on February 28, following a wave of US-Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic.

The team gained global attention after some players stayed silent during Iran’s national anthem before their first game in the Asian Cup. The silence was cast as an act of resistance or protest by some commentators and a show of mourning by others.

Players’ refusal to sing the anthem sparked criticism from some Iranian outlets. One state television presenter accused the athletes of treason and said they should face harsh punishment, especially since the country is at war, The New York Times reported in early March.

The players didn’t publicly disclose their views or explain their actions and sang the anthem before their next two matches.

When the team was knocked out of the tournament and faced the prospect of returning to a country under bombardment, calls grew for Australia’s government to offer the women asylum.

Iranian groups in Australia and US President Donald Trump were among those who expressed fears for the women’s safety.

Iranian first Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref last week dismissed suggestions that the women would be unsafe if they returned home, saying the country “welcomes its children with open arms and the government guarantees their security.”

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.