President Donald Trump updated people on social media about the status of Iranian women’s soccer team players after asking Australia to grant them asylum.
Donald Trump has called on Australia to grant asylum to members of the Iranian women’s soccer team (Image: Pool/ABACA/Shutterstock)
US President Donald Trump claimed on social media that Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team.
Players refused to sing the national anthem before the opening match of the Women’s Asian Cup last week, sparking concerns that they would be punished if they returned to Iran.
That prompted calls for the players to remain in Australia, which hosts the tournament, with President Trump urging Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on social media on Monday to intervene, saying it would be a “terrible humanitarian mistake” not to grant the players asylum.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iranian women’s soccer team (sic) to be deported to Iran. They will likely be killed. Stop it, Mr. Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese), and give them asylum. If they don’t, the United States will take them in. Thank you for your interest in this issue. President Donald J. Trump.”
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A short time later, after speaking with the Albanian players, President Trump appeared to confirm that the players in question had been granted asylum, later saying that “the rest of the players are returning home.” It is unclear whether any further players will remain in Australia.
Trump added: “I just spoke to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the Iranian women’s national soccer team. He’s on board!”
Players chose not to sing the national anthem (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“Five people have already been taken into custody and the rest are on their way home. However, some feel they have to go home because they fear for the safety of their families, including threats to their families if they do not return. In any case, the Prime Minister has done a very good job in dealing with this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia!”
After the 2-0 loss against the Philippines, a video of the team bus leaving the stadium went viral on social media, where some players appeared to be asking for help. Some people also used sign language to convey “SOS”.
Some branded the players who acted defiant as “traitors.” Hours before they were scheduled to fly home, it was reported that five of the players had slipped past the regime’s attention and had taken refuge in safe homes in Australia.
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