The Iranian women's football team is facing an impossible situation as they prepare for their final Women's Asian Cup game against the Philippines on the Gold Coast this weekend. The players must contend with two possible realities: returning home and facing punishment from the Islamic Republic regime for not singing the national anthem before their first game, or staying in Australia and risking retribution against their families and loved ones.
Amnesty International Australia strategic campaigner Zaki Haidari told ABC Sport that the players should be granted asylum. 'There's no way that they can go back to Iran. The Iran authority will detain them and prosecute them on arrival, and they've done that historically,' he said. He added that anyone who protested against the Iranian regime in the last two months has suffered consequences, and that families will face punishment regardless of the team's decision.
The players' decision not to sing the national anthem against South Korea was seen as a silent protest against the regime. They then sang before their second match against Australia, interpreted as a directive from the regime. This appeared confirmed when footage emerged from a conservative presenter on Iranian state TV labeling the players 'traitors'.
Fears for their safety have prompted a petition to Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke, asking that no team member leave Australia while uncertainty remains, and that players seeking protection can do so independently. The petition went live on Friday and has over 30,000 signatures. Melbourne-based human rights activist Dr Minoo Ghamari, who helped start the petition, said the players are being 'kept hostage in Australia' by Islamic Republic officials surrounding them.
It is alleged that people with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, listed as a terrorist organisation in Australia, are part of the team's delegation. Witness reports indicate these staff members have intimidated guests and visitors at the team's Gold Coast hotel, monitoring players' communications and accompanying them everywhere, including public bathrooms. A source suggested the players are 'prisoners in their hotel'. There are also reports that players signed contracts before leaving Iran, promising not to defect or protest, or face punishment for themselves and their families.
Dr Ghamari said some players may not want to stay in Australia, but the petition asks for individual conversations without IRGC presence. 'Let's at least give them this choice and without anyone threatening them,' she said. The team is due to depart Australia after their final group game against the Philippines tomorrow night.
