Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five footballers from Iran’s women’s national football team after the players protested by remaining silent during the national anthem at the Asian Cup.
The players identified as:
- Fatemah Pasandideh
- Zahra Ghanbari
- Zahra Sarbali
- Atefeh Ramazanzadeh
- Mona Hamoudi
All have been moved to a safe location, as confirmed by the Australian Federal Police.
Immigration Minister Tony Burke stated: “The women were moved to a safe place.”
He added that the players “want to be clear that they are not political activists. They are athletes who want to be safe.”
Concerns about the Iranian footballer’s safety were raised last week when the team stood silent during their national anthem before a match against South Korea.
As reported by CNNsources close to the teams confirmed that the players faced threats against their families.
The remaining team has left Australia for Iran, although their route of travel remains unclear.
Iranian state media reported that the attorney general’s office urged the team to return, describing them as “children from this very country” who acted “unconsciously” due to “hostile plans”.
