Iranian Women's Football Team Returns Home After Asylum Drama
The Iranian women's football team has returned home after a fraught asylum saga in Australia, with five players withdrawing their claims and rejoining the squad.
Iran's female footballers have crossed back into their homeland after seeking asylum in Australia over fears of persecution...
The Iranian women's football team has returned home after a dramatic asylum saga. The team crossed into Iran from Turkey on Wednesday, following a tense journey from Australia. Five team members had initially sought asylum in Australia, citing fears of persecution, but later withdrew their claims and returned home.
Australia had granted humanitarian visas to six players and one support staff member, but two players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, remain in Australia and are training with a local A-League club. The team's return comes after they faced backlash from Iranian state media, which labeled them “wartime traitors” for refusing to sing the national anthem during the Asian Cup.
The Iranian women's football team is facing safety concerns after several players refused to sing the national anthem at a Women's Asian Cup match earlier this month. This incident occurred after the US and Israel launched a war against Iran, and Iranian state television labeled the players “wartime traitors.”
The team has since returned to Iran, with five players withdrawing their asylum claims in Australia. They flew into Istanbul on Tuesday and then took a flight to Igdir in eastern Turkey on Wednesday morning, before crossing the border into Iran. Two players remain in Australia, training with a local A-League club.
The Iranian women's football team made a low-key arrival at Igdir Airport, emerging with their luggage and chatting quietly. One player even flashed a brief smile and wave to a TV camera before boarding a bus to the border. About two hours later, they arrived at the Gurbulak border gate, went through passport control, and crossed into Iran.
The Iranian women's football team's Asian Cup campaign was cut short due to the war between Iran and the US-Israel coalition, which led to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The team was eliminated from the tournament over a week ago.
Five players who initially sought asylum in Australia have changed their minds and decided to return home. Australian media reported the latest withdrawal on Monday. These players rejoined their teammates in Kuala Lumpur and flew back to Iran, citing fears of persecution if they stayed in Australia.
The Iranian women's football team reunited in Kuala Lumpur, where they've been staying since leaving Sydney last week. The team is back together, minus two players who remain in Australia and are training with Brisbane Roar A-League Women's team.
The Iranian Football Association (FFIRI) had previously stated that players who withdrew their asylum claims would return home with the team “to once again be embraced by their families and homeland.” The team is now back in Iran, having crossed the border from Turkey earlier today.
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