Seven members of the Iranian women's football team have been granted humanitarian visas in Australia, with two additional individuals receiving protection just before the squad departed Sydney on Tuesday night. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the visas on Wednesday, noting that the players will have access to settlement services including English language support, employment assistance, and education and training.
However, one of the players who initially sought asylum has changed her mind and decided to return to Iran. Burke stated that the woman contacted the Iranian embassy after speaking with teammates who had left Australia, leading to an urgent operation to relocate the remaining asylum seekers. The minister emphasized that Australia respects individuals' rights to change their decisions, but the situation forced officials to move the other women to ensure their safety.
Iran's foreign affairs ministry accused Australia of holding the players 'hostage', with spokesperson Esmail Baghaei posting on X: 'They slaughtered more than 165 innocent Iranian schoolgirls in a double-tap Tomahawk attack in the city of Minab, and now they want to take our athletes hostage in the name of “saving” them? The audacity and hypocrisy are staggering.' He urged the players to 'come home', saying they would be welcomed 'with open arms'.
Burke confirmed that nearly all squad members were interviewed individually by Australian officials without Iranian minders present, and asked if they wished to seek protection. Those granted visas will have a pathway to permanent residency. The minister noted that while the government may not be able to assist family members of the players still in Iran, permanent residents have rights to sponsor relatives.
The two additional individuals granted visas on Wednesday are believed to be squad member Mohaddeseh Zolfi and support member Zahra Soltan Meshkeh Kar. Their visas were processed overnight after security clearance. Burke said the government had begun considering visa approvals for the Iranian team well in advance of the Women's Asian Cup tournament.
