Australia Grants Asylum To Five Iranian Women's Soccer Players After Pressure From President Donald Trump

Australia granted humanitarian visas to five members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team after the players sought asylum while competing at the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, a move the government said was taken to protect them from potential persecution if they returned home.

“Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five members of Iran’s women’s national football team after they sought asylum, fearing persecution if they returned home amid rising political tensions”

Daily Times

The Times of Israel reported the decision under the headline “Australia grants asylum to five Iranian soccer players amid pressure from Trump,” and Fox News wrote that “Australia granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team on Monday.”

Daily Times

Firstpost also said “Australia on Tuesday granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women’s football team players after they sought asylum fearing persecution in their home nation.”

Australian federal police moved the five players from their Gold Coast hotel to a secure location and they subsequently met with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke as the visa-processing began.

Fox News reported the women were “transported from their hotel in Gold Coast, Australia 'to a safe location' by federal police officers.”

Devdiscourse

OneFootball quoted Burke saying talks began early and that the players were moved “to a secure location with support from federal police.”

The Times of Israel relayed Albanese’s remarks that “They’re safe here, and they should feel at home here.”

The asylum bids followed a contentious moment in the tournament when several team members initially refused to sing Iran’s national anthem, an act that Iranian state media and commentators labelled dishonourable and prompted fears for the players’ safety and of reprisals against their families.

“The move sparked criticism from conservative voices in Iran, with some commentators calling the players “traitors” and demanding punishment”

Dhaka Tribune

Independent Journal Review noted the players “refused to sing Iran’s national anthem before their opening loss to South Korea.”

Firstpost reported Iranian commentators calling it the “pinnacle of dishonour.”

Dhaka Tribune described supporters and activists expressing concern and urging protection after the team’s anthem protest, saying “Supporters gathered outside the stadium in Gold Coast... chanting 'save our girls'.”

Former President Donald Trump publicly pressured Australia to grant asylum, warning the players could face lethal danger if returned and saying the United States would accept them if Australia did not; Albanese confirmed he spoke to Trump by phone and updated him that five players had already been helped.

Fox News quoted Trump writing “Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed.”

Firstpost

Firstpost reported Albanese saying “Trump rang him just before 2 a.m... 'I was able to convey to him the action that we’d undertaken... and that five of the team had asked for assistance and had received it and were safely located,'”

Devdiscourse said “Former U.S. President Donald Trump praised Australia's decision on social media, stating the U.S. would have welcomed the players if Australia hadn't.”

Australian officials and international bodies signalled ongoing concern for the remaining players and their families, while sports unions and rights groups urged care for the athletes’ agency and safety; officials said security checks raised no objections and Australia has precedent for granting visas to women athletes in danger.

“Australia granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team on Monday, following their perceived political stand during the Women’s Asian Cup and pressure from President Donald Trump”

Fox News

OneFootball quoted Burke saying he “had consulted ASIO chief Mike Burgess, who raised no security objections before visas were approved.”

Fox News

Firstpost noted Australia previously granted humanitarian visas to over 20 members of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team after the Taliban takeover.

Devdiscourse reported that global sports bodies continued to monitor the situation and advocate for the players and their families.