One Iranian football team member changes mind after Australia grants asylum One member of the Iranian women’s football team who sought sanctuary in Australia has changed her mind after speaking with teammates, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed during a parliamentary session. The player, whose identity remains confidential, reversed her decision following discussions with her teammates, Burke said. The minister emphasized that the player’s choice was made voluntarily, with Australian officials ensuring there was no pressure or coercion involved. Burke confirmed that seven members of the Iranian women’s team had been granted asylum, with the latest change in decision coming after the player spoke with teammates who had already left Australia. The minister noted that the Iranian embassy was now aware of the team’s whereabouts, following the player’s contact with embassy officials. The remaining players were relocated from a safe house to a new location, he added. The asylum grants followed concerns for the players’ safety after the team’s failure to sing their national anthem before a match in Australia. Iranian state television had labeled the team “traitors” for the incident, though the players later sang the anthem in subsequent matches. The general prosecutor’s office in Iran reportedly invited the remaining team members to return home “with peace and confidence,” while the country’s foreign ministry urged the players to “come home” and assured them of a warm welcome. The team’s departure from Australia was marked by emotional scenes, with players and staff flying from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur. Australian officials had taken the players aside individually at the airport, without Iranian representatives present, and offered them asylum.#iranian_women_football_team #home_affairs_minister_tony_burke #iranian_embassy #australian_government #iranian_state_television
