Iranian soccer players join Brisbane training
Two remaining Iranian soccer players have trained with a local club after five others who initially also sought asylum in Australia reversed their decision.
The Iranian womenâs soccer team has left Malaysia for Oman as the two remaining members seeking asylum in Australia joined a local A-League club for training.
The departure ends days of uncertainty after five of the seven squad members who sparked a diplomatic furore by seeking asylum in Australia reversed their decisions and rejoined the team in Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, the two players who remained in Australia joined a training session with the womenâs A-League club, the Brisbane Roar.
The club released photos of Mondayâs training session, with Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh smiling and wearing the Queensland teamâs colours.
Brisbane Roar CEO, Kaz Patafta said his club welcomed and supported the players but declined to comment further, directing questions to the Department of Home Affairs.
You might like
âWe remain committed to providing a supportive environment for them whilst they navigate the next stages,â he said.
Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John earlier told The Associated Press his organisation was supporting the Iranian team in Kuala Lumpur.
He said the AFC was told they are flying to Oman, but that isnât their final destination and that he wasnât aware of their full travel plans.
Asked if the confederation was satisfied that the women would be safe back in Iran, Windsor said the AFC and FIFA would check up on them regularly with the Iranian football federation âas they are our girls as wellâ.
The squad flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur a week ago after being knocked out of the Womenâs Asian Cup in Australia, initially leaving behind six players and a support worker who had accepted protection visas.
Four players and the staffer have since rejoined the team in Kuala Lumpur, the latest flying in on Monday.
No reasons have been given for the changes of heart. The Iranian diaspora in Australia blames pressure from Tehran.
Windsor said at a news conference earlier his confederation had not received any direct complaints from players about returning home, despite media reports their families in Iran could face retaliation for the team failing to sing their national anthem before the opening match.
Stay informed, daily
The silence during the anthem was variously reported as an act of resistance or a show of mourning. The team didnât clarify, and it sang at the opening of a later match.
âWe couldnât verify anything. We asked them and they said, âNo, itâs okay,'â he said.
âThey are actually in high spirits ⌠they didnât look afraid.â
Iranian authorities welcomed the womenâs decisions to reject asylum as a victory against Australia and US President Donald Trump.
Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite described the womenâs plight in Australia as a âvery complex situationâ.
âThese are deeply personal decisions, and the government respects the decisions of those that have chosen to return. And we continue to offer support to the two that are remaining,â Thistlethwaite said.
The two players who stayed in Australia have been moved to an undisclosed safe location and are receiving assistance from the government and the Iranian diaspora community, he said.
Concerns about the teamâs safety in Iran heightened when the players didnât sing the Iranian national anthem.
The Australian government was urged to help the women by Iranian groups in Australia and by Trump.
The embassy in Canberra, remains staffed, despite the Australian government expelling the ambassador last year.
-with AP
Want to see more stories from InDaily Qld in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily Qld as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily Qld". That's it.
