Iranian women footballers who sought asylum in Australia were moved from their safe house on Wednesday after their location was reportedly disclosed to the Iranian embassy, according to Australian authorities.
The situation unfolded after seven members of Iran’s visiting women’s football delegation decided to seek refuge in Australia. The players had been criticised at home and labelled “traitors” after refusing to sing the national anthem during a tournament match, a move widely seen as an act of protest.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke explained that one member of the group later reconsidered her decision after speaking with teammates who had chosen to return to Iran instead of applying for asylum. Following that conversation, the player contacted Iran’s embassy in Australia, which led to the safe house location becoming known.
Burke said the moment the development came to the attention of authorities, steps were taken to relocate the asylum seekers immediately to ensure their safety. He also stressed that Australian officials had confirmed the woman’s decision was made on her own and without pressure.
Concerns had earlier been raised that male officials travelling with the Iranian team could try to stop some of the women from seeking protection abroad.
The decision by the players to request asylum came after they arrived in Sydney for an international tournament. Each member of the delegation was separated from the team at the airport and given time to privately consider the offer of protection in Australia.
The situation has added strain to relations between Iran and Australia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly praised the courage of the women and said they would be welcomed if they chose to stay.
However, Iran’s football authorities have accused Australia of interfering and claimed the players were pressured into abandoning their country.
The controversy began last week when several Iranian players remained silent as the national anthem was played before a match in Australia. The moment quickly gained attention and was widely interpreted as a show of defiance against Iran’s government.
A presenter on Iranian state television later described the players as “wartime traitors,” raising fears among observers that they could face serious consequences if they returned home.
Amid those concerns, five players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, quietly left their team hotel at night to seek asylum. Two additional members of the delegation, a player and a support staff member, also applied for protection before the rest of the team departed Sydney on Tuesday evening.
Authorities have not revealed which of the seven individuals later changed her mind.
Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation confirmed that the remainder of the Iranian squad is currently staying at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur while waiting for arrangements to continue their journey back to Iran. The governing body said it would provide the team with necessary support during their stay.
Iranian-Australian migration agent Naghmeh Danai, who spoke with several of the players earlier in the week about their options, said the women appeared to be under considerable pressure. According to her, they were not allowed to freely communicate with others and were being closely monitored by officials connected to the team.
Although the Iranian players later sang the national anthem during subsequent matches, human rights advocates say the earlier protest has already drawn serious attention.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former monarch, warned that members of the women’s national team could face ongoing threats. He urged the Australian government to protect the players and ensure they receive the support they may need.
