Australia has agreed to grant visas to five members of the Iranian women’s football team who have taken refuge there amid concerns that they may face ‘dire consequences’ if they return home.
Iran’s exiled crown prince, Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanjadeh and Mona Hammoudi said they were told they were in a “safe place”.
US President Donald Trump said on social media that five of the team had been “taken care of” but indicated that others were returning home.
The Iranian team is in Australia for the Asian Cup.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the five players were welcome to stay and their country would grant them visas.
The Australian government was under pressure to bail him out after he was knocked out of the tournament.
The players were reportedly criticized on state TV, with commentators saying they had committed “the pinnacle of dignity” for remaining silent during the national anthem before the match against South Korea.
“Traitors should be dealt with more harshly during wartime,” commentator Mohammad Reza Shahbazi said, according to Reuters news agency.
Supporters ran towards the bus as it left Sunday’s match. Image: Reuters
Some believed the team’s silence was an act of resistance, while others saw it as a show of mourning after the opening US-Israel attacks on their country.
The team has not given any specific comment on their stance.
He sang and saluted before losses to Australia on Thursday and the Philippines on Sunday, but he was ordered to do so.
The team failed to get past the group stage and players’ union FIFPRO said it was “really concerned” about their welfare and could not contact them.
Tens of thousands chanted “let them go” and “save our girls” as the team bus left the stadium on the Gold Coast after Sunday’s game.
According to CNN, supporters said they could see at least three players making the international hand signal for help.
Mr Trump said he had spoken to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday about the issue.
“He’s on it!” Mr. Trump posted on Satya Social.
“Already five have been taken care of and the rest are on the way.
“However, some feel compelled to return because they are concerned about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they do not return.”
A ‘moving threat’
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who lives in the United States, said the team faced “ongoing threats” after their “brave act” of not singing the anthem.
“As a result of his brave act of civil disobedience by refusing to sing the national anthem of the current regime, he will face dire consequences if he returns to Iran,” he said on social media.
“I call on the Australian government to ensure their safety and provide them with any and all support they need.”
Iran players on the bus after the defeat against the Philippines. Image: Reuters
The Australian Iran Council had previously urged the government to protect the players while there.
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It launched an online petition asking authorities to “ensure that no members of Iran’s women’s national football team leave Australia”, but credible fears remain for their safety.
