Canberra [Australia], March 10 (HBTV): Five members of the Iranian women's national football team have been granted humanitarian visas by the Australian government after seeking refuge in the country amid fears of persecution if they returned to Iran, according to a report by 9 News.
The players — Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh and Mona Hamoudi — reportedly escaped from team handlers at a hotel on Australia's Gold Coast following their participation in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup. The operation reportedly unfolded overnight, with the players assisted by Australian authorities before being moved to a secure location.
Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that humanitarian visas had been approved following a late-night process by the Department of Home Affairs.
'I signed off last night for their applications to go onto humanitarian visas and a little bit after 1.30 am this morning the processing was completed by the Department of Home Affairs,' Burke said.
The players had travelled to Australia for the continental tournament, but concerns about their safety arose after the team refused to sing the Iranian national anthem ahead of their opening match against South Korea. The act was widely interpreted as a protest and sparked backlash from Iranian state media, which reportedly labelled the players as 'traitors'.
Following their final group-stage match against the Philippines, reports indicated that some players made gestures signalling distress as the team bus left the stadium. Activists and members of the Iranian diaspora in Australia also urged authorities to allow the athletes to remain in the country, citing fears they could face punishment if forced to return to Iran.
The situation drew international attention, with US President Donald Trump urging the Australian government to provide asylum to the players. Trump also raised the issue in a phone call with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, expressing concern about the women's safety if they were sent back to Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, 'Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Women's Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don't do it. Mr. Prime Minister, give asylum. The US will take them if you won't. Thank you for your attention to this matter.'
Later, Trump returned to Truth Social to praise the Australian Prime Minister for his efforts.
'He's on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way,' Trump wrote.
'Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don't return.'
'In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation.'
Albanese later confirmed that five members of the team had requested assistance and were safely located in Australia. Some other players, however, may still return home due to concerns about possible repercussions for their families in Iran.
The episode has drawn international attention to the risks faced by Iranian athletes and women activists amid political tensions and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
(ANI)