Australia relocated several Iranian women’s football players under protection after one teammate who had accepted asylum reversed her decision and contacted the Iranian embassy.
A member of the Iran women’s national football team who had accepted asylum in Australia reversed her decision, prompting authorities to urgently relocate six other teammates after she contacted the Iranian Embassy, officials said. The players had been held at a secret location under police protection following concerns about their safety.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told parliament the woman had consulted teammates who had already left the country before reaching out to Iranian officials. “Unfortunately, in making that decision, she’d been advised by her teammates and coach to contact the Iranian embassy and to get collected,” Burke said. “I immediately gave the instruction for people to be moved.”
The asylum requests followed controversy during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup when Iranian players refused to sing their national anthem and were later labeled traitors by state media. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia intervened due to concerns about the regime’s treatment of women, adding authorities ensured the players were given a genuine choice about whether to remain.