WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team. visit the country During the tournament, iran war Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Tuesday.
The announcement came after Iranian groups in Australia and US President Donald Trump called on the Australian government for days to provide support to the women, who had not spoken publicly about their desire to seek asylum. In Australia, the team sparked widespread speculation and news coverage after players did not sing the Iranian national anthem before their first game.
Early Tuesday morning local time, Australian Federal Police removed five women who had applied for asylum from a hotel on Australia’s Gold Coast to a “safe location”. There they met with Mr Burke and the humanitarian visa process was completed, the minister told reporters in Brisbane hours later.
“I don’t want to imagine how difficult that decision is for each individual woman, but it certainly was a joy and a relief last night,” Burke said, posting a photo on social media of the women smiling and clapping as they signed the paperwork. “People were really excited to start living in Australia.”
The women who were granted asylum said they were happy to have their names and photos published. Burke added that the players wanted to make it clear that they were “not political activists.”
The future of the 21 members of the team is still unknown.
Last month, before the Iran war began, the Iranian team arrived in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup. The team was eliminated from the tournament over the weekend, facing the possibility of returning to the bombed country. Iranian head coach Marzieh Jafari said on Sunday that the players “want to return to Iran as soon as possible,” according to Australian news agency AAP.
The official team list included 26 players, as well as Jafari and other members of the coaching staff. Burke said the asylum offer extended to the entire team.
“These women are very popular in Australia, but we recognize that they are in a very difficult situation with the decisions they are making,” Mr Burke said. “There will still be opportunities to speak to Australian officials if they wish.”
It is not clear when the remaining players plan to leave Australia.
Iranian team popular in Australia
Burke did not elaborate on what threats the players would face if they returned to Iran. Women have largely avoided commenting on the situation in the country during the tournament, but Iranian forward Salah Didar fought back tears at a press conference on Wednesday as she spoke of her concern for her family, friends and all Iranians during the conflict.
After the players’ match, the Iranian team received national coverage, even in Australia. Silence during the national anthem Before last week’s opening game loss to South Korea was seen by some as an act of defiance and by others as an expression of mourning. The team has not disclosed. they later They sang and saluted during the national anthem. before the remaining two games.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Tuesday that “Australians are moved by the plight of these brave women.” “They should be safe here and feel at home here.”
Mr Albanese said Australian authorities had made a “clear” offer of support to the players.
“Then they had to take that into consideration and act in a way that did not endanger themselves or their families and friends in Iran,” he added.
Asylum granted at President Trump’s request
Australia’s announcement comes after President Trump called on Australia in Washington on Monday to grant asylum to team members who wish to do so. Earlier in the day, President Trump slammed Australia on social media, saying Australia “made a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing our team to be deported to Iran and likely to be killed there.” President Trump called on Australia to grant the team asylum, adding: “If they don’t, the United States will take them in.”
Less than two hours later, President Trump praised Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in another social media post, saying, “He’s doing great! Five people have already been treated and the rest are on their way.”
The president’s asylum offer marked a shift of sorts for the Trump administration, which has sought to limit the number of immigrants who can receive asylum for political purposes.
Ms. Albanese said President Trump called her to have a “very positive conversation” about the matter. The Australian leader described “actions we have taken over the past 48 hours” to support women.
He praised Australian news outlets for their restraint in not publishing developments in the story sooner.
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Rico reported from Atlanta.
