Australia says seven members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team have been granted asylum, but one has asked to return to Iran.
Scott Ditrow, Host:
Now to Iran’s national women’s soccer team. Australia says it has granted asylum to seven members of the team, but one has asked to return to Iran. Asylum seekers are kept in an undisclosed location. Kristina Kukolja reports from Melbourne.
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SARAH DIDHER: (Speaking Farsi).
Kristina Kukolja: A world away from war, Iran’s soccer player Sara Didar told reporters at the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia that her team is worried about what has happened to Iran and their families. When it was time to leave the tournament, protesters blocked the bus carrying the team from their hotel on the Gold Coast.
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: Save our girls. Save our daughters.
Kukolja: Five players went missing from Australia on Monday evening after secret talks with government officials. Two more women, a player and a member of support staff, sought asylum a day later. However, the government says one has changed her mind. Minoo Tousi is from a group called the Australian Iranian Patriots Association, which advocates for Iranian asylum seekers. She was at Sydney Airport when the rest of the team flew off without them.
Minoo Tousi: When we were actually waiting for the flight, one of the girls’ mother from Iran called and she said, please ask her to stay. I don’t want her to come back here. Her life will be in danger.
KUKOLJA: Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says the rest of the delegation were separated at airport customs and given a final chance to seek asylum when they were interviewed by officials.
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Tony Burke: We made sure there was no rush. There was no pressure. All to ensure dignity for those individuals to choose.
KUKOLJA: But Burke says visas have not been issued to staff suspected of links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which is listed as a state sponsor of terrorism in Australia. Concerns about the team’s safety first emerged after they were branded traitors on Iranian state television for not singing the national anthem before their first Asian Cup match. This prompted President Trump to call on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to grant him asylum, saying on Truth Social, “If you don’t, the US will take him.” Minoo Tousi says those who remain in Australia are worried about their loved ones in Iran.
TOUSI: He’s asking if the Australian government can help his family because I heard that the family in Iran has been threatened because they haven’t come back.
Kukolja: In X, Iran’s foreign ministry accused Australia of taking the players hostage, saying the country was waiting for them with open arms. But Australia has not responded to this allegation. For NPR News, I’m Christina Kukolza in Melbourne.
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