Five members of Iran’s women’s football team have been granted humanitarian visas in Australia after safety concerns arose when the squad refused to sing the national anthem ahead of their Asian Cup match against South Korea last week.
Australian Immigration Minister confirmed the five players Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi were moved to a secure location by police before their applications for permanent protection were approved. The visas allow the athletes to live, work, and study in Australia.
The decision follows fears that the players could face retaliation from Iranian authorities. Conservative commentators in Iran had condemned their silence during the anthem, labelling the athletes “wartime traitors.”
Burke stressed that the footballers “are not political activists. They are athletes who want to be safe,” noting that discussions over their applications had taken several days. Australian Prime Minister later confirmed the humanitarian visas had been granted.
Supporters in Australia and abroad rallied in solidarity, with hundreds gathering at Gold Coast Stadium and some activists attempting to block the team’s coach to encourage other squad members to remain in the country.
The remainder of the team has been escorted to Gold Coast Airport and is expected to travel to Sydney later, with authorities monitoring the situation to ensure their ongoing safety.
Human rights advocates have warned that the families of the players remaining in Iran may face reprisals, highlighting the high-stakes nature of the situation.
The move underscores Australia’s commitment to humanitarian protection and draws global attention to the challenges facing female athletes and women’s rights in Iran.
