Reports Say Iran Holds Families of Fleeing Women's Football Team Hostage

Reports say Iran’s women’s football team were flown out of Australia after a confrontation over silence during their national anthem, with five players granted asylum in Australia and claims emerging that some players’ families have been taken hostage in Iran.

“IRAN’s female football team has been flown out of Australia as claims emerge their families have been taken hostage in Iran”

The US Sun

The Sun reports that "IRAN’s female football team has been flown out of Australia as claims emerge their families have been taken hostage in Iran," that "Five of the players were granted asylum in Australia on Monday after they fled their handlers," and that the incident followed the squad refusing to sing the national anthem before their Asia Cup match on the Gold Coast.

The US Sun

Eyewitness and video accounts described chaotic scenes at the Gold Coast hotel and the team’s departure, with footage showing players being forced toward transport amid protests.

The Sun says "A frenzy erupted outside their Gold Coast hotel as players were dragged onto a coach set to leave Australia amid furious protests," and that "Shocking footage showed one player being firmly pulled by the wrist onto the coach by a teammate while another was heard wailing."

The US Sun

Officials and reports detail how the team left Australia via Sydney and which players received protection, with five named and others reported to have been issued humanitarian visas.

“IRAN’s female football team has been flown out of Australia as claims emerge their families have been taken hostage in Iran”

The US Sun

The Sun lists the five asylum-granted players as "Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hamoudi," notes the team "travelled to Sydney to catch a flight out of the country," and reports that "two more players and one procurement manager did not get on the Malaysia Airlines plane" but "have been granted humanitarian visa’s by the Australian government, the Daily Mail reports."

State media and international voices heightened fears for those who might be returned, with Iranian outlets condemning the players and a high-profile US comment warning of lethal danger.

The Sun quotes Iranian state media calling the action "the 'pinnacle of dishonour', adding that 'traitors during wartime must be dealt with more severely,'" and reports that "US president Donald Trump" warned they would "be killed" if "forced back to Iran."

The US Sun

Reporting notes unresolved questions about coercion, the whereabouts of remaining squad members, and the veracity of claims about hostages; sources say more players may have joined the asylum seekers but raise concern over coercion.

“IRAN’s female football team has been flown out of Australia as claims emerge their families have been taken hostage in Iran”

The US Sun

The Sun states "it is understood more have joined them today" and that "Concerns have been raised about whether the rest of the team was coerced into returning to Iran," while linking some visa reporting to the Daily Mail.

The US Sun