Five Iranian Women Footballers Granted Humanitarian Visas in Australia After Seeking Refuge

Five members of the Iranian women's national football team have been granted humanitarian visas by Australian authorities after seeking refuge in the country amid fears of persecution if they returned to Iran.

The players, Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh and Mona Hamoudi, reportedly escaped from team handlers at a hotel on Australia's Gold Coast following their participation in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, according to a report by 9 News.

The operation unfolded overnight, with the players assisted by Australian authorities before being moved to a secure location.

"Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women. They're safe here, and they should feel at home here," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Why did Iranian women footballers refuse to sing the national anthem in Australia?

The players had travelled to Australia for the continental tournament but concerns about their safety emerged after the team refused to sing the Iranian national anthem ahead of their opening match against South Korea.

The act was widely interpreted as a sign of protest and sparked backlash from Iranian state media, which reportedly labelled the players as "traitors."

Following their final group stage match against the Philippines, reports indicated that some players made gestures signalling distress as the team bus left the stadium.

Activists and members of the Iranian diaspora in Australia urged authorities to allow the athletes to remain in the country, citing fears they could face punishment if forced to return to Iran.

The situation drew international attention, with Donald Trump urging the Australian government to provide asylum to the players.

Why did Donald Trump urge Australia to grant asylum to Iranian women footballers?

Trump also raised the issue in a phone call with Albanese, expressing concern about the women's safety if they were sent back to Iran.

"Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Women's Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don't do it. Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The US will take them if you won't. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump wrote, in a post on Truth Social.

Later, Trump returned to Truth Social to praise the Australian prime minister for his response.

"He's on it!" Trump wrote in the post. "Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way."

"Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don't return."

"In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation."

(With inputs from ANI)