Australia's Home Affairs Minister revealed that one of the two Iranian women's football team members who recently sought asylum has changed her mind and requested to return to her homeland after discussions with teammates. Meanwhile, Australian authorities immediately relocated the remaining female players to safe locations after embassy contacts led to a leak of their whereabouts, raising safety concerns following accusations by Iranian state media labeling the team as "wartime traitors."','tags':['asylum','Iranian football','Australia','safety concerns','government']
Tony Burke, Australia's Minister for Home Affairs, briefed Parliament on the progress of the Iranian women's national football team's asylum case, stating that one of the two players who decided to seek asylum on the night of Tuesday, 10 Mar 2024 GMT+7, has reversed her decision and requested to return to Iran.
This development occurred after five Iranian female players were granted asylum the previous day. Later on Tuesday evening, one additional player and one team support staff member received offers of asylum assistance from the Australian government. However, Burke stated, "One of the two who had decided to stay last night spoke with a teammate who chose to return home, and she ultimately changed her mind. In Australia, everyone has the right to change their decision and freedom of movement; we respect her choice."
Although the identity of the member deciding to return has not been disclosed, Burke acknowledged rising tensions due to this individual contacting the Iranian embassy, resulting in the asylum seekers' location being exposed. Consequently, Australian authorities swiftly relocated the remaining individuals to a secret safe location.
The two latest individuals reported to have separated from the team with assistance from the Australian Federal Police are Mohaddeseh Zolfi, a 21-year-old forward, and Zahra Soltan Moshkehkar, a team support officer.
Concerns for the players' welfare increased after Iranian state television labeled them as "wartime traitors" because they refused to sing the national anthem during the Women's Asian Football Championship in Australia earlier this month, coinciding with an airstrike in Iran that led to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Australian officials disclosed that the remaining players were separated from their Iranian "controllers" at Sydney Airport to inform them of their asylum rights and options freely, without pressure. Nevertheless, most members who arrived at the airport chose to return to Iran, and the women's football team has now reached Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to catch flights back home.
Some players who opted for permanent asylum expressed concerns and inquired about possible assistance for their families to leave Iran. Meanwhile, Iran's Attorney General stated through local media that the remaining team members will be welcomed back "peacefully and confidently."
. . .Reuters