Iran women football players withdraw asylum bids in Australia

• The asylum requests followed fears of reprisals after the team refused to sing Iran’s national anthem, prompting international concern for the players’ safety.

Two Iranian female footballers and a member of their support staff have withdrawn asylum requests in Australia, officials confirmed, ending a high-profile standoff that raised international safety concerns. The three had initially sought asylum after the team refused to sing Iran’s national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup, sparking fears of reprisals at home.

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that the trio “gave up on their asylum application in Australia and are currently heading to Malaysia,” posting photos of the women allegedly boarding a plane. Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the news, stating that the players decided to join the rest of the team on their return journey to Iran after being offered repeated chances to review their options.

The asylum bids drew global attention after the Iranian players were labeled “traitors” by IRIB following their anthem protest. FIFPRO, the global organization representing professional footballers, had called on FIFA and the AFC to ensure the players’ safety amid reports they were being monitored by Iranian officials in Australia.

Earlier this week, five players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, had sought asylum in Australia, with a sixth player and a staff member doing the same before the rest of the team left Sydney. One player, Mohadese Zolfigol, withdrew her claim earlier and reunited with teammates in Kuala Lumpur before the group’s planned return to Tehran.

Iran’s football governing body has accused Australia of coercing the players to abandon their homeland, framing the withdrawals as a resolution to the tense situation.