Iranian Footballers Seek Asylum in Australia After Asian Cup Defection
 |
| Brisbane roar host Iranian players amid asylum drama |
Iranian footballers Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh seek asylum in Australia after refusing to sing national anthem at Women's Asian Cup. Supported by Brisbane Roar and government.
“Brisbane is home to one of the country's most passionate football communities, and the Roar family has a big heart...”
Iranian footballers are getting a warm welcome in Australia. Two women players from Iran's national team trained with Brisbane Roar after seeking asylum here.
The players got a thumbs up from a FIFA official, with one posting “Everything will be fine.” They fled after facing backlash at home for refusing to sing Iran's national anthem.
Two Iranian footballers, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, are still in Australia after seeking asylum. The others who initially sought asylum have decided to return to Iran.
Rights groups claim Tehran pressures athletes abroad by threatening relatives or seizing property if they defect or speak out against the Islamic republic.
Iran's authorities are pointing fingers at Australia, claiming they've pressured the players to stay. Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar's CEO Kaz Patafta warmly welcomed Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh to the team, saying, “Welcome, Fatemeh and Atefeh,” as they trained with the A-League squad.
The two footballers are getting a supportive environment in Australia after seeking asylum due to fears of persecution back home. Pasandideh even shared a hopeful message with FIFA's Jill Ellis, saying “Everything will be fine.”
“Today, Brisbane Roar officially welcomed both players to the club's training facilities to take part in training with our A-League women's squad,” he said.
“We remain committed to providing a supportive environment for them whilst they navigate the next stages.”
Fatemeh Pasandideh shared a hopeful message on Instagram, posting a photo with FIFA's Jill Ellis and captioning it “Everything will be fine.”
The two players, Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, are lying low at a secret location, getting support from the Australian government and the local Iranian community.
The drama surrounding the Iranian women's football team is unfolding against the backdrop of the war in the Middle East, sparked by US-Israeli air strikes on Iran. After news broke that some players had been granted asylum, Brisbane Roar released a statement welcoming the Iranian footballers, saying they wanted to provide a “place to train, play, and belong.”
The team's decision to seek asylum came after they refused to sing Iran's national anthem during the Women's Asian Cup, citing fears of persecution if they returned home. Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta reiterated the club's support, stating they're committed to providing a “supportive environment” for the players as they navigate their next steps.
“Brisbane is home to one of the country's most passionate football communities, and the Roar family has a big heart,” it said.
“We'd be honoured to open our doors and offer you a place to train, play, and belong and will begin to explore how to make this happen.”
No comments:
Leave comment here