Remaining Iranian soccer players join A-League training
The Iranian women’s football team traveled to Oman from Malaysia as the two remaining members, who had sought asylum in Australia, joined a local A-League club for training.
The departure brings an end to days of uncertainty after five of the seven team members who sparked diplomatic outrage by seeking asylum in Australia reversed their decision and rejoined the team in Kuala Lumpur.
Team members declined to speak to reporters as they spent several hours at the airport Monday night checking in and waiting for their flights.
Meanwhile, the two remaining players in Australia participated in training with women’s A-League club Brisbane Roar.
The club released photos from Monday’s training session, with Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh smiling and wearing Queensland team colours.
Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta said his club welcomed and supported the players but declined to comment further and referred questions to the Department of Home Affairs.
“We are committed to providing them with a supportive environment as they move into the next phases,” he said.
Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John previously told The Associated Press that his organization was supporting the Iran team in Kuala Lumpur.
He said AFC was told they would fly to Oman, but that was not their final destination and he was not aware of their full travel plans.
Asked if the confederation was satisfied the women would be safe in Iran, Mr Windsor said the AFC and FIFA would regularly check on them with Iran’s football federation “because they are our girls”.
The team flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur a week ago after being eliminated from the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, initially leaving behind six players and a support worker who accepted a protection visa.
Four players and staff have since rejoined the team in Kuala Lumpur, with the latest arriving on Monday.
No reason was given for the change of heart. The Iranian diaspora in Australia blames pressure from Tehran.
Mr Windsor told a press conference earlier that his confederation had not received any direct complaints from players about returning home, despite media reports in Iran that their families in Iran could face retaliation for not singing their national anthem before the opening match.
Silence during the anthem has been variously conveyed as an act of resistance or a show of mourning. The team did not clarify the issue and sang at the opening of a later match.
“We couldn’t confirm anything. We asked them and they said, ‘No, it’s okay,'” he said.
“They were actually in high spirits… they didn’t seem scared.”
Iranian officials welcomed the decision to deny the women’s asylum as a victory against Australia and US President Donald Trump.
The Iranian team arrived in Australia for the tournament shortly before the war in the Middle East began on 28 February, making travel arrangements difficult.
Deputy Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite described the situation for women in Australia as “a very complex situation”.
“These are deeply personal decisions and the government respects the decisions of those who choose to return. We continue to offer support to the two remaining people,” Mr Thistlethwaite said.
He said the two remaining players in Australia had been moved to an undisclosed safe location and were receiving assistance from the government and the Iranian diaspora community.
The players’ failure to sing the Iranian national anthem raised concerns about the team’s safety in Iran.
The Australian government has been called upon by Iranian groups in Australia and Trump to help women.
The embassy in Canberra remains unstaffed, despite the Australian government expelling the ambassador last year.
with AP
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