Two More Iranian Women's Soccer Delegation Members Granted Asylum in Australia
In a significant development, two more members of the Iranian women's soccer delegation have been granted asylum in Australia after they declined to board a flight back to their home country. This decision was confirmed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Wednesday, who stated that humanitarian visas were issued to a player and a support person from the team.
Rising Number of Asylum Seekers
This latest grant brings the total number of women associated with the soccer team who have sought and received asylum in Australia to seven. This follows their departure from the Asian Cup, where concerns over their safety have escalated. Iranian state media has labeled them as "wartime traitors" for refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening match, heightening fears for their well-being upon return.
Minister Burke detailed the process, explaining that the two individuals were reunited with the first five asylum seekers in Sydney overnight. He emphasized that the Australian government provided a clear choice without coercion. "I made them the same offer that I made the five players the night before... if they wanted to receive a humanitarian visa for Australia, which would have a pathway to a permanent visa, I had the paperwork ready to execute that immediately," Burke told reporters in Canberra. He added that both accepted the offer, and processing began promptly.
Government's Approach and Safety Concerns
Burke stressed that officials did not rush the process or pressure any team members to seek asylum. "Australia's objective here was not to force people to make a particular decision," he said. "We're not that sort of nation. What we wanted to make sure of was that sometimes, possibly for the first time, these individuals were meeting a government that said, 'the choice is up to you'."
The team's departure from a Gold Coast hotel on Tuesday afternoon was marked by tension, with police guarding the scene. A video published by Nine newspapers showed one player appearing to be dragged by a teammate onto a bus, while protesters attempted to block the vehicle from heading to the airport. Demonstrators opposed to the Iranian government also gathered at Sydney airport later that evening.
Previous Asylum Cases and Advocacy
The team members previously confirmed to be staying in Australia include captain Zahra Ghanbari and players Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh, and Mona Hamoudi. Iranian refugee advocate Ara Rasuli, involved in the asylum process, praised the Australian government for its support. "They have opened every avenue for the girls to stay here and to be protected," Rasuli said.
She highlighted the severe risks faced by those who return to Iran, noting that players could potentially face execution, and their families might suffer retaliation from the regime. "They are in a lot of danger," Rasuli explained. "There are all sorts of different threats, such as taking the families into custody, taking over their assets... and that's why most of the girls are choosing to go back home, because the threats are a big issue in this matter."
Calls for Global Sports Reform
Retired Socceroos captain and human rights activist Craig Foster has called for reforms in global sports governance. He argued that women are too often placed in similar dangerous situations, and accountability is needed. "There will have to be accountability by the Asian Football Confederation and by FIFA as to what did not occur, what processes were not in place... this should have been avoidable," Foster told AAP. He emphasized that the situation was foreseeable before the tournament and preventable, noting that such incidents are neither uncommon nor acceptable in modern sports.
