On Monday, the Australian government granted asylum to the five members of the 13-member team, fearing they would be persecuted if they returned to Tehran. A ABC News The report stated that at least seven members of Iran’s women’s football team have sought asylum in Australia.
Australian police moved the Iranian soccer players “to a safe location,” Immigration Minister Tony Burke said. The minister added that other members of the squad have been informed that they can remain in the country.
Iran’s players salute during the national anthem before the Asia Cup women’s football match between Australia and Iran in Robina, Australia. (AP)
Soccer Players Labeled ‘Wartime Traitors’
As Iran’s women’s football team participated in the Asian Cup being held in Australia, the players refused to sing the Islamic country’s national anthem and remained silent before the Asian Cup’s opening match against South Korea earlier this week and the football team was labeled “wartime traitors” by an Iranian state television presenter. New York Times reported.
🟥جان تیم ملی فوتبال زنان ایران در خطر است.
محمدرضا شهبازی مجری امنیتی تلویزیون حکومتی جمهوری اسلامی به طور رسمی تیم ملی فوتبال زنان ایران را به خاطر نخواندن سرود ملی به خیانت متهم کرد و خواستار مجازات آنها به عنوان خائن در دوران جنگ شد. مجازات اتهام خیانت در دوران جنگ در ایران… pic.twitter.com/L4GxaOHTBZ
State television host Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, in a video that has since gone viral on social media, criticized the players of the Iranian women’s soccer team and said the team members should be treated “severely” for “dishonor and lack of patriotism.”
Australia’s humanitarian visa program provides protection to refugees and people who have humanitarian needs. Those who receive the visa can live, study and work in the country, bbc reported.
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How did the Iranian women’s soccer team escape from the hotel?
Asylum discussions had been ongoing for several days when members of the Iranian soccer team refused to sing the national anthem while their fans feared for their safety. Minister Burke, who was at the airport, said Border Force officials made several representations to the team before leaving Sydney.
Last night I was able to tell five women from the Iranian women’s football team that they can stay in Australia, be safe and have a home here. pic.twitter.com/2JQp9q9Z8W
After five Iranian footballers confirmed their consent to seek asylum in the country, Australian police removed the players from the team hotel and moved them to a safe location where they remain under the protection of the Australian Federal Police.
The Iranian players who were granted asylum are:
Ghanbari
Zahra Sarbali Alishah
Mona Hamudi
Atefeh Ramezanizadeh
Fatemeh Pasandideh
Several fans gathered outside Sydney International Airport on Tuesday and the crowd erupted in cheers as unconfirmed news spread that, apart from five players who had already applied for asylum, two more players had decided to stay in Australia. ABC News reported.
The report further added that the remaining Iranian team left Sydney on Tuesday night for Kuala Lumpur.
Australian government grants asylum to Iranian footballers fleeing ‘wartime traitor’ label
On Monday, the Australian government granted asylum to the five members of the 13-member team, fearing they would be persecuted if they returned to Tehran. A ABC News The report stated that at least seven members of Iran’s women’s football team have sought asylum in Australia.
Australian police moved the Iranian soccer players “to a safe location,” Immigration Minister Tony Burke said. The minister added that other members of the squad have been informed that they can remain in the country.
Soccer Players Labeled ‘Wartime Traitors’
As Iran’s women’s football team participated in the Asian Cup being held in Australia, the players refused to sing the Islamic country’s national anthem and remained silent before the Asian Cup’s opening match against South Korea earlier this week and the football team was labeled “wartime traitors” by an Iranian state television presenter. New York Times reported.
State television host Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, in a video that has since gone viral on social media, criticized the players of the Iranian women’s soccer team and said the team members should be treated “severely” for “dishonor and lack of patriotism.”
Australia’s humanitarian visa program provides protection to refugees and people who have humanitarian needs. Those who receive the visa can live, study and work in the country, bbc reported.
Story continues below this ad.
How did the Iranian women’s soccer team escape from the hotel?
Asylum discussions had been ongoing for several days when members of the Iranian soccer team refused to sing the national anthem while their fans feared for their safety. Minister Burke, who was at the airport, said Border Force officials made several representations to the team before leaving Sydney.
After five Iranian footballers confirmed their consent to seek asylum in the country, Australian police removed the players from the team hotel and moved them to a safe location where they remain under the protection of the Australian Federal Police.
The Iranian players who were granted asylum are:
Several fans gathered outside Sydney International Airport on Tuesday and the crowd erupted in cheers as unconfirmed news spread that, apart from five players who had already applied for asylum, two more players had decided to stay in Australia. ABC News reported.
The report further added that the remaining Iranian team left Sydney on Tuesday night for Kuala Lumpur.
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