Five players from the Iranian women's national football team have been granted asylum in Australia during the Asian Cup. Australian Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke announced this, as reported by Reuters. The Australian Federal Police removed the athletes from the team's hotel and transported them to a secure location.

Under government protection are team captain Zahra Ganbari, along with Zahra Sarbali Alishe, Mona Hamudi, Atefe Ramezanizade, and Fatima Pasandide. Reuters notes that the players sought asylum after the team was labeled "wartime traitors" in Iran for refusing to sing the national anthem before their first tournament match. Negotiations for their protection had been ongoing for several days.

Tony Burke stated, "These women are great athletes and wonderful people, and they will feel at home in Australia." The minister also highlighted that the offer of asylum remains open to the other 21 team members still staying at a hotel in Gold Coast, though some may decide to return to Iran.

The Iranian women's team lost all three of their group stage matches in the tournament held in Australia. Before their first game against South Korea on March 2 (0:3), the team did not perform the national anthem, sparking sharp criticism in Iran. In subsequent matches—against Australia on March 5 (0:4) and the Philippines on March 8 (0:2)—the Iranian players sang the anthem and gave a military salute.

Source: kun.uz