Five members of theIranian Women Football Teamhave refused to return to their country after they were dubbed as traitors for not singing the national anthem before their opening game of theWomen's Asian Cupagainst South Korea on March 2. As the team was eliminated from the tournament, five players escaped the team hotel in Gold Coast, Queensland, to avoid being sent back home. The players are being investigated by the Australian Federal Police, and their claims are being processed by the Department of Home Affairs.
As per the communications office of Prince Reza Pahlavi, the five players in question are Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi.
"Prince Reza Pahlavi's office has been informed that five players from the Iranian women's national football team: Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi, have left the team's training camp and successfully sought refuge in Australia," read a statement from Pahlavi's communications office on X.
Meanwhile, FIFA has also stepped in to ensure that the players are safe. The apex body released a statement and said that they are in continuous touch with the Australian authorities to ensure that the players are taken care of. "The safety and security of Iran's women's national team are FIFA's priority, and we therefore remain in close contact with the AFC and the relevant Australian authorities, including Football Australia, in relation to the team's situation," read a statement from FIFA.
Iran were knocked out of the tournament after losing to the Philippines. The team was set to leave on Monday, but the return has been delayed, and the team is still at the hotel in Queensland. Refugees can seek asylum in Australia if they fear persecution and there is a fear of serious harm to themselves in their home country.
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Faham Uddin is a seasoned sports journalist currently working as a Special Correspondent on the sports desk. With over eight years of diverse experien...View More
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