Iran’s national women’s soccer team has returned to the Islamic Republic after several players applied for asylum in Australia, Iranian media reported on Wednesday.
The outlet shared footage of the players arriving in Türkiye and taking a bus to the border to enter Iran. They were met by some officials at the border.
Two Iranian female athletes, Fatemeh Pasandide and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, have chosen to remain in Australia. Training at Brisbane Roar Club.
Some first sought asylum after their team was eliminated. Women’s Asian Cup Then he changed his mind and said he was going back to Iran.
The Iranian team arrived in Australia just before the tournament. iran war The team initially attracted global attention after some players remained silent during the Iranian national anthem before the first match of the Asian Cup. of silence Some commentators cast it as an act of resistance or protest, others as a show of mourning.
The players did not publicly state their views or explain their actions, instead singing the national anthem before the next two games.
When the team was eliminated from the tournament and faced the prospect of returning to the bombed country, calls grew for the Australian government to provide asylum to the women. Iranian groups in Australia and US President Donald Trump were among those who expressed concern for the women’s safety.
Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said last week that Iran “welcomes children with open arms and the government guarantees their safety,” dismissing suggestions that the women would be in danger if they returned home.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
