IRather than dramatic international intervention, former US President Donald Trump has asked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to allow members of the Iranian women’s national soccer team who recently fled a Gold Coast hotel to apply for asylum.
The plea came after the Asian Cup campaign ended on Sunday night when several players made what appeared to be an “SOS” hand signal inside the team bus.
The situation worsened when five players – Fatemeh Pasandide, Zahra Gambari, Zahra Salbari, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hammoudi – fled the authorities to avoid returning to Iran where they could face persecution.
They are currently under federal police protection in a secure location in Australia and have been granted humanitarian visas by Home Secretary Tony Burke.
Iranian state media previously criticized the team for refusing to sing the national anthem before their first Asian Cup match against South Korea, calling the players “wartime traitors” and deserving of severe punishment.
The international reaction was swift, with President Trump publicly urging Albanians to intervene.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iranian women’s national soccer team to be deported to Iran. They are likely to be murdered there,” he said on social media. “Don’t do that, Prime Minister, give them asylum. If you don’t, the United States will take them in. Thank you for your attention to this issue.”
Government intervenes to ensure player safety
Shortly after posting, President Trump acknowledged that he had spoken to Albanians and praised the Australian leader for handling a “delicate situation.”
He added that five players had already been safely transferred, but others were hesitant due to concerns about the safety of their families in Iran.
“However, some feel they have to return because they fear for the safety of their families, including threats to their families if they do not return,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Meanwhile, Burke spent the next few days making visa arrangements to ensure players who wanted to remain in Australia could do so.
“A lot of work has been done in recent days to ensure that women have the best possible opportunity to know that they can seek support if they wish,” he told reporters.
He confirmed shortly after 1:30 a.m. local time that the five athletes’ applications had been processed and approved.
The daring escape and humanitarian response attracted significant attention both within Australia and internationally. Despite heavy rain, a crowd celebrated outside the team’s hotel Monday night, reflecting the public’s support for the players.
Burke stressed that other team members in the hotel still have the option of seeking asylum.
“Australia has accepted the Iranian women’s soccer team into our hearts,” he said. “These women are very popular in Australia, but we recognize that they are in a very difficult situation with the decisions they are making.”
As the story unfolds, the athletes’ courageous actions highlight the broader issue of human rights in Iran and the role of the international community in protecting athletes at risk.
The combination of President Trump’s intervention and the Albanese administration’s response marks a historic moment in sports diplomacy and humanitarian assistance.
