Son of late shah says Australia must protect Iranian women’s football team

2026-03-09 - 01:03

Iranian players refused to sing their national anthem before their Asian Cup match against South Korea in Gold Coast, Brisbane. (EPA Images pic) SYDNEY: The son of Iran’s late shah urged Canberra on Monday to protect the Iranian women’s football team, who were branded “wartime traitors” after refusing to sing the national anthem while playing in Australia. Australia is facing mounting pressure to offer asylum to the side, who are due to return to Iran after bowing out of the Asian Cup. Reza Pahlavi, who has positioned himself as an alternative if the Islamic republic falls, said the team faced “dire consequences”. “The members of the Iranian Women’s National Football Team are under significant pressure and ongoing threat from the Islamic Republic,” Pahlavi said on X. “I call on the Australian government to ensure their safety and give them any and all needed support.” Iranian players refused to sing as their anthem was played ahead of a game against South Korea last week. The move was widely seen as an act of defiance and a presenter on Iranian state television branded the side “wartime traitors” representing the “pinnacle of dishonour”. Crowds surrounded the Iranian team bus after their final game on Sunday, chanting “let them go” and waving anti-government flags, local media said. Iran’s embassy in Australia did not respond to a request for comment.