Iranian Women Soccer Players Seek Asylum in Australia After Anthem Protest

Multiple members of Iran's women's national soccer team have requested asylum in Australia after refusing to sing their country's national anthem during an international tournament. The players face potential punishment back home, with some families reportedly under pressure from Iranian authorities.

Multiple members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team have applied for asylum in Australia following their refusal to sing the Iranian national anthem during an international tournament, sparking urgent efforts by activists to protect them from forced repatriation.

The situation unfolded during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, where Iranian players remained silent during their national anthem before their opening match against South Korea. This act was widely viewed as a protest against Iran’s government amid ongoing political tensions and the regime’s crackdown on demonstrators.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced that five Iranian players received humanitarian visas, posting photos on social media with the athletes, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari. However, one player, Mohaddeseh Zolfi, later reversed her asylum request after her family allegedly faced threats in Iran.

“After speaking with her teammates, the player came to this decision and contacted the Iranian Embassy,” Burke stated. “In Australia, people are free to change their minds, and we respect that decision.”

The controversy began when Iranian state television officials condemned the players’ silent protest, with one presenter calling them traitors and saying their wartime actions represented “the height of dishonor.” Under mounting pressure, the team was forced to sing the anthem and perform a military salute during their second match against Australia.

Following their tournament elimination, some players appeared to signal distress by flashing phone lights as supporters gathered around their team bus, urging them to seek asylum. This moment triggered a social media campaign and online petition with 10,000 signatures calling on Australia to prevent the athletes from returning to Iran.

The campaign gained international attention, prompting President Trump to post on Truth Social, calling on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to help the players and offering U.S. asylum if Australia failed to act.

Iranian officials reacted angrily to Australia’s decision to grant humanitarian visas. Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref called it “psychological warfare” and interference in Iran’s “family affairs,” while the prosecutor’s office formally demanded the players’ return.

Concerns intensified when a message circulated on social media from the family of star player Golnoosh Khosravi, urging her not to return to Iran due to communication restrictions and internet shutdowns in the country.

According to supporters, up to 11 delegation members initially refused to board flights, though exact numbers remain disputed. Some team members traveled to Malaysia, where they reportedly remain under surveillance by Iranian embassy and sports ministry security personnel.

Medis Tavakoli, a clinical psychologist in Madrid monitoring the situation, told The Media Line: “In the current hard situation, psychologically we are supporting one another so that no one feels alone, because we know our situation does not matter to many people in the world.”

The five players granted Australian humanitarian visas are captain Zahra Ghanbari, Mona Hamoudi, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh, Zahra Sarbali, and Fatemeh Pasandideh.

This represents the first time in recent decades that multiple Iranian national team members have sought refuge abroad and refused to return home. Supporters express concern not only for the athletes caught between countries but also for their families facing pressure in Iran.

The remaining players and staff in Malaysia continue under close watch while Iranian expatriate groups attempt to persuade them against returning, even as flight suspensions to Iran complicate their situation.