Iranian women football members reverse Australia asylum claim

2026-03-16 - 00:24

Australia granted asylum to six Iranian women’s football team members and a support worker over fears of persecution. (EPA Images pic) BRISBANE: One more member of the Iranian women’s football team granted asylum by Australia has decided to return to Iran, bringing the total to five of the original seven given refuge, according to a senior government official. Australia last week granted asylum to six players and a support worker due to concerns about persecution after Iranian state media had described the team as traitors for not singing their country’s national anthem before one of their games in the Women’s Asian Cup. “It’s a very difficult situation for them and we have to respect their wishes,” Matt Thistlethwaite, Australia’s assistant minister for immigration, told Sky News in an interview on Monday. “But for the two that remain, they’re getting all the support they can.” Thistlethwaite said the pair have been offered protection visas to stay in Australia, with settlement support covering English classes, housing and employment assistance. “We’re doing everything we can to support them but it’s a complex situation.” Iran has said the team could return home “with calm and confidence,” according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing a statement from the attorney general’s office. It added that the players acted “unintentionally” under emotional influence from what it described as “enemy conspiracies.” “After telling Australian officials they ​had made this decision, the players ​were given repeated chances to talk about their options,” Home affairs minister Tony Burke said in a statement. “While the Australian government can ensure that opportunities are provided and communicated, we cannot ​remove the ​context in ⁠which the players are making these incredibly difficult decisions.” Australia’s decision to grant the seven members of the delegation asylum came after the government agreed to send a surveillance aircraft and missiles to the Middle East to help defend Gulf states against Iranian attacks.