GOLD COAST: Five players from Iran’s visiting women’s football team have claimed asylum in Australia, saying they feared punishment at home after refusing to sing the national anthem during a tournament match.
Among those seeking protection is the team’s captain, Zahra Ghanbari. The players reportedly slipped away from their hotel on Australia’s Gold Coast late at night before approaching authorities for help.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the development on Tuesday, saying the athletes had been moved to a safe location and granted special visas on humanitarian grounds.
“Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women. They’re safe here, and they should feel at home here,” Albanese said, adding that the media had shown restraint by delaying reports of the asylum request until the players were secure.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government held several days of confidential discussions with the players before arranging their transfer to a safe house.
He said the footballers were granted special visas after leaving the team hotel, and described an emotional moment when they celebrated after receiving confirmation of their protection status.
The controversy began last week when members of Iran’s women’s team stood silent during the national anthem before a match against South Korea, a gesture widely interpreted as a sign of protest against the authorities in Iran.
Pictures showed the players huddled around a table as Burke signed paperwork granting them special visas to stay in Australia on humanitarian grounds.
The players broke out into chants of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie", Burke said, adding that the rest of the team would also be welcome to stay in the country if they wished.
It was unclear whether the remaining players in the Iranian squad would fly home or when they might leave Australia.
US President Trump was among the first to confirm five players were safely in the care of Australian officials, following a late-night call with Prime Minister Albanese.
He had hours earlier urged Australia to do the right thing, saying it would be a "terrible humanitarian mistake" if the players were forced back to Iran.
'Wartime traitors'
A presenter on Iranian state TV branded the players "wartime traitors" after they stood motionless during the anthem before a match against South Korea last week.
Although they sang the anthem, an ode to the glory of the Islamic Republic in later matches, human rights activists warned the damage was done.
Politicians, human rights activists and even "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling had called for Australia to offer the side protection.
Supporters gathered outside the stadium on the Gold Coast during the team’s matches over the weekend, beating drums and chanting slogans in support of the players.
It remains unclear whether the rest of the Iranian squad will return home or seek to remain in Australia. Authorities said other team members would also be welcome to stay if they wished.
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