Australia Offers 2 Iranian Women Footballers 'Safe Haven'

• Two Iranian players were granted asylum in Australia after the Asian Cup
• Players faced backlash for refusing to sing the national anthem
• They thanked Australia for safety and support amid pressure at home

Two Iranian women footballers, who sought asylum in Australia last month during the Asian Cup, have stated that they are grateful to have received support from fellow players in order to continue to exist and compete without fear.

Seven members of the Iranian national team requested asylum at the tournament following calls from the Iranian government calling them traitors for refusing to sing the national anthem at their first match, which was played days after the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

While their bids for protection reflect poorly on the Iranian authorities, US President Donald Trump has commended the players for their bravery. Five of the players ultimately withdrew their asylum requests, choosing instead to return to Iran.

The remaining two, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, have reportedly been subjected to harassment by Iranian officials, including pressure placed on their families and parents being summoned for questioning regarding the women's decision to seek asylum.

In a joint statement, they thanked the Australian government for granting us humanitarian protection and a safe haven in this beautiful country. "The compassion and support shown to us during this challenging time has provided us with hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety," they said.

"We are overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the Iranian diaspora community in Australia. Your support has made us feel welcome and less alone as we navigate this transition.” "At this stage our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives," they added.

The two athletes who sought asylum in November, have been missing since being photographed smiling and training with Brisbane Roar of Australia (A-league) a week later. An undisclosed location is where they are currently being housed.

Since returning to Iran with the rest of the team who were confirmed to have sought asylum, it is still unknown what has happened to the remainder of the squad. AFP reporters witnessed members of the national team bus crossing from Turkey into Iran in national team tracksuits, wearing the head coverings required by Iranian law.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X "The players and their support team were children of the homeland and the people of Iran embrace them". “By returning, they had "disappointed the enemies (of Iran) and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements", he added.