More Iranian women soccer players to leave Australia

Three women who received humanitarian visas from the Iranian football team decided to return to their country.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Sunday that players who had previously left the squad were offered multiple options after Australian officials were notified of their decisions.

“The Australian government has done everything we can to ensure these women are given the chance of a secure future in Australia,” she said.

“The Australian government can ensure opportunities are provided and communicated, but we cannot take away the context in which players make these incredibly difficult decisions.”

Seven members of the football team were granted asylum, but one woman decided to return to Iran hours after accepting the offer.

The women remaining in Australia had to be moved to a safer location because the actress had indicated their location when contacting the Iranian embassy.

The team competing in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup left a Gold Coast hotel under police guard on Tuesday afternoon, with one player appearing to be dragged onto a bus by a teammate.

There are fears for the safety of the rest of the team on their return to Iran, having been labeled “wartime traitors” in Iranian state media for refusing to sing the national anthem before the opening match.

Appearing on Insiders on Sunday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Iranian women are “under extreme and extraordinary pressure.”

The conflict in the Middle East continues to expand, with intensified attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes targeting many Gulf countries.