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F<\/span>Former US soccer player Megan Rapinoe is facing online criticism after several members of the Iranian women’s national team were granted asylum in Australia following dramatic events during the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup. Television host Piers Morgan was one of the high-profile figures to attack the USWNT icon for his apparent hypocrisy.<\/p>\n Five players from the Iranian women’s national soccer team have been granted asylum by the Australian government amid concerns about the repercussions upon their return after the team was eliminated from a tournament. <\/p>\n The situation attracted international attention after the Iranian team refused to sing the national anthem before a match against South Korea, an act that Iran’s state television reportedly condemned by labeling the players “wartime traitors.”<\/p>\n The 2026 Games, to be held in Australia, sparked a flashpoint after authorities offered protection to Iranian athletes who feared they could return home. <\/p>\n In the end, five players accepted the offer and moved quickly toward obtaining permanent residency.<\/p>\n Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the government had moved the players to a safe location after their whereabouts were accidentally revealed by another member of the Iranian delegation.<\/p>\n Burke identified the players who accepted asylum as:<\/p>\n Fatemeh Pasandidezahra Gambarizahra Salvariatefe Ramazanzademona Hammoudi<\/p>\n Two others, striker Mohadeseh Zolfi and staff member Zahra Soltan Moshkekar, were also initially offered asylum. <\/p>\n But then some decided to contact the Iranian embassy to make arrangements for their return, prompting authorities to urgently move the remaining exiles to ensure their safety.<\/p>\n “I immediately told people to move,” Burke told parliament.<\/p>\n “This was her decision and all the questions you wanted to ask were asked.”<\/p>\n Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the players as “brave women” and assured them of their safety in the country, saying: “They are safe here and will feel at home here.”<\/p>\n Officials emphasized that the players are not activists, but athletes seeking safety. \u201cThey want to make it clear that they are not political activists,\u201d Burke said. “These are athletes who want safety.”<\/p>\n Note: The same Ms. Rapinoe not only allowed men into the women’s locker room, but also allowed them to take the place of actual women on the team. https:\/\/t.co\/T1pqhdnoJB<\/p>\n ? Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 27, 2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n As the story unfolded, Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup champion and longtime champion of women’s rights in sports, came under fire from broadcaster Piers Morgan.<\/p>\n Morgan accused the former U.S. captain of ignoring situations involving Iranian players.<\/p>\n “The silence from Rapinoe and so many supposed ‘feminists’ like her on this is so eloquent, so gross, so hypocritical,” Morgan wrote on Twitter.<\/p>\n He also cited Rapinoe’s past support for transgender athletes in women’s sports and criticized her for not publicly commenting on the situation with the Iranian team.<\/p>\n Rapinoe has not publicly responded to Morgan’s comments and has not addressed the asylum incident.<\/p>\n The dispute comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. <\/p>\n Shortly after the Asian Cup unfolded, the Iranian government announced that it would not participate in the World Cup tournament to be held in North America.<\/p>\n When asked about the decision, US President Donald Trump simply replied, “I don’t really care.”<\/p>\n For now, the five players remain in the custody of the Australian government pending their immigration proceedings, and their stories continue to make headlines across the sporting world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhich players accepted asylum in Australia?<\/h2>\n
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Rapinoe criticized for her silence<\/h2>\n