US EditionAnother 3 members of Iran’s women’s soccer team decide against staying in Australia as refugees
After being branded 'wartime traitors,' three Iranian women footballers reversed asylum bids and returned amid fears of reprisals and family threats, officials said.
- On Friday, coach Marziyeh Jafari said state TV comments affected Iran women's national football team players psychologically and drove some to seek asylum in Australia.
- After players stood silent during the anthem before the first match against South Korea, Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, IRIB presenter, labelled them 'wartime traitors'.
- Australia this week granted humanitarian protection visas to five Iranian players, while two more squad members received asylum on Wednesday and one chose to return to Iran.
- Australian police called the players one-on-one to persuade them to stay, but Jafari said most refused while Mohaddeseh Zolfi later reversed her decision and will return.
- Advocates note the broader visa backlog and said rapid subclass 866 visa grants for footballers highlight distress amid more than 24,000 applications lodged in 2024-25 and 4,000 approvals in 2024-25, including 462 of Iranian citizenship.
211 Articles
211 Articles
Idaho Press
The EagleHerald5 women rejoin Iranian soccer squad in Malaysia after abandoning Australia asylum
An official says the Iranian women’s soccer team has yet to reveal plans to leave Malaysia after five of the seven squad members who created a diplomatic furor by accepting asylum in Australia a week ago have rejoined their teammates…
Fifth member of Iranian women's football team gives up asylum in Australia
MELBOURNE: A fifth member of the Iranian women’s football team who accepted a refugee visa to stay in Australia has left the country, the Australian government said on Monday (Mar 16).The player's departure shortly before midnight on Sunday leaves two of an initial seven squad members in Australia, Home Aff
Three Iranian footballers out of six who stayed in Australia after the tournament and were granted asylum there have decided to return home.
Three more Iranian women's soccer players reject Australia asylum offer
The players had accepted humanitarian visas, offered amid concerns for their safety after having been labeled 'wartime traitors' on Iranian state television, but ultimately have decided to return to their home country
Coast Reporter
5th member of Iranian women's soccer team gives up asylum in Australia
A fifth member of the Iranian football team has renounced their asylum in Australia, reports AP news agency.
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