Five Iranian Women Footballers Withdraw Asylum Claims, Leave Australia

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Canberra: A fifth member of Iran’s women’s national football team has withdrawn her asylum request and returned home, leaving only two players in Australia after several team members reversed earlier bids for protection following the AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Seven members of the Iranian squad six players and one staff member were initially granted humanitarian visas after expressing fears of persecution if they returned to Iran. The players had refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match against South Korea, a move that triggered criticism from hardliners at home, with one state media presenter calling them “wartime traitors.”

According to Iranian state media, two players Mona Hamoudi and Zahra Sarbali along with team staffer Zahra Meshkekar, left Australia and arrived in Malaysia on Saturday before heading onward to Tehran.

Another player who withdrew her asylum request was identified by state media as team captain Zahra Ghanbari.

Australian officials said the women had maintained contact with their families and the Iranian embassy while deciding their next steps. Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite told Sky News that the players had been free to communicate with Iranian authorities during the process.

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government had repeatedly explained the options available to the players but acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding their decisions.

Earlier, forward Mohadeseh Zolfi became the first to return her humanitarian visa and leave Australia last week, joining teammates in Malaysia.

The Iranian squad had arrived in Australia shortly before the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran that killed the country’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, further heightening tensions in the region.

Photo Credit: X/ @Tony_Burke