Five Iranian Women Footballers Seek Refuge In Australia After Asian Cup Exit

Five members of the Iranian women’s national football team have left their squad’s training camp on the Gold Coast and are seeking refuge in Australia after fears they could face punishment if they returned home.

The players are currently under the protection of the Australian Federal Police while their cases are being processed by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

According to the communications office of Reza Pahlavi, the five footballers are Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hamoudi.

The controversy began before Iran’s opening match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on March 2, when the players declined to sing the national anthem ahead of their clash with the South Korea women’s national football team. The move sparked concern among supporters that the players could face reprisals if they returned to Iran.

Criticism soon followed in the Iranian media. On state television, one conservative commentator branded the players “wartime traitors” and called for severe punishment.

A statement issued by Pahlavi’s office on 𝕏 confirmed that the players had left the team’s camp and were seeking protection in Australia.

“Announcement: Prince Reza Pahlavi’s office has been informed that five players from the Iranian women’s national football team: Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi, have left the team’s training camp and successfully sought refuge in Australia,” he said.

The situation has drawn attention from football’s global governing body. FIFA said it was in contact with Australian authorities and regional officials to ensure the players’ safety.

“The safety and security of IR Iran’s women’s national team are FIFA’s priority, and we therefore remain in close contact with the AFC and the relevant Australian authorities, including Football Australia, in relation to the team’s situation,” FIFA said in a statement.

Iran’s campaign in the tournament ended on Sunday after a defeat to the Philippines women’s national football team. The squad had been scheduled to leave Australia on Monday but remains at a resort hotel in Queensland.

Earlier reports by the BBC said the five players had moved to a safe house following their team’s elimination.

Supporters gathered outside the stadium on the Gold Coast after Iran’s final match, surrounding the team bus and chanting “save our girls”.

The BBC also reported tense scenes inside the team’s five-star hotel on Monday. Several players were seen leaving the lobby together after speaking with activists. Shortly afterwards, another group including a translator and the head coach rushed through the hotel looking visibly shaken before heading back to their rooms.

A relative of one of the footballers later told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the players intended to apply for asylum.

“I want to kiss the hands of everyone who helped,” the unnamed relative said.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump commented on the situation on his Truth Social account, urging Australia to grant protection to the athletes.

Australia should “give asylum” to the women, Trump wrote.

“The US will take them if you won’t,” he added.

Trump later said he had spoken with Anthony Albanese and claimed steps were already being taken to address the situation.

“In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job in this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia!” Trump said.

Naija News reports that this controversy took centre stage amid the ongoing war between Iran and Israel backed by the United States.