The Australian government has confirmed that at least seven members of the Iranian women’s national football team, who traveled to Australia for the Asian Cup, have applied for asylum, including both players and support staff.
Home Affairs Minister Clare Burke stated that, in addition to five team members who applied on March 9, one more player and one support staff member have recently been granted temporary humanitarian visas. The visas are valid for 12 months and provide a pathway to permanent residency.
Sources said one player refused to board her flight back to Iran at Sydney Airport at the last moment.
Burke said that before the team’s departure from Australia, border force and Home Affairs officials met individually with each member to explain options and ensure decisions were made free of external pressure. Officials also allowed the players to speak with family members and provided time to consider whether to seek asylum.
Reports indicate that the remaining Iranian team members who did not apply for asylum departed Sydney International Airport on Tuesday evening, transiting through Kuala Lumpur to return to Iran.
Earlier, prior to the Asian Cup opener against South Korea, several players refused to sing the Iranian national anthem, leading Iranian state media to label them as “traitors.” Under Iranian law, charges of treason can carry long prison sentences or even the death penalty.
Burke confirmed that all applicants underwent security vetting before visas were approved.