Five members of Iran's women's nationalsoccerteam are staying in Australia after accepting asylum following theirsilent national anthem protest at the Asian Cup.
Two more members of the group initially agreed to remain as well, but one later changed her mind and returned to Iran — while also exposing the secret location where the others had been taken for safety.
According to multiple reports, five players from the Iranian squad originally accepted humanitarian visas allowing them to remain in Australia. Striker Mohaddeseh Zolf and support staffer Zahra Soltan Moshkehkar later joined the group after Australian police helped them separate from team officials.
Most of Iran's women's national soccer team
(Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP via Getty Images)
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said, however, that the situation quicklybecame more complicated.
"One of the two who had made the decision to stay last night had spoken to some of the teammates who had left, and had changed her mind," Burke said. "In Australia, people are able to change their mind, people are able to travel. And so, we respect the context in which she has made that decision."
After deciding to return home, the player reportedly contacted Iranian officials and exposed the location where the remaining asylum seekers had been taken for protection.
"As a result of that, it meant that the Iranian embassy now knew the location of where everybody was," Burke said.
Authorities immediately relocated the remaining women to a new safe location.
Source: The Latest & Most Breaking News With OutKick
