MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The political struggle between the United States and Australia regarding seven members of the Iranian women's soccer team appears to have concluded, with the team returning home without the two players who defected last week. Critics claim that the focus on politics overshadowed the women's well-being throughout this process.
Initially, seven Iranian women sought asylum in Australia, but within days, five of them reversed their decisions and returned to the team for undisclosed reasons. Graham Thom, advocacy coordinator for the Refugee Council of Australia, expressed concern, stating, "We ended up with an outcome that is certainly far from ideal." He emphasized the hope that the two remaining players receive the necessary protection, while also wishing for the safety of those who returned.
Iran has publicly proclaimed victory in this unusual public relations contest, especially after Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke shared a photo of five women who accepted protection visas. He stated that these women were glad to have their names and images made public. However, refugee advocates raised alarms about whether women from a repressive regime could legitimately critique the Australian government’s media strategy.
Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a political scientist who spent over two years imprisoned in Iran, noted that the urgent focus on publicity may have jeopardized the women's welfare. She speculated that if the asylum process had been more discreet, the Iranian authorities might have permitted the women's defection as they had previously allowed other Iranian athletes to leave.
Historically, Australia conducts asylum negotiations in private to avoid putting pressure on refugees and their families. The Iranian women's team raised concerns when they chose not to sing the national anthem before their first match in the Women's Asian Cup on March 2. This action led Iranian sports commentator Mohammad Reza Shahbazi to label them as "wartime traitors," stirring public protests advocating for their asylum.
As the issue gained momentum, U.S. President Donald Trump intervened, using social media to urge asylum for the team and directly contacted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regarding the matter. Following the team's elimination from the tournament, five players accepted humanitarian visas while two chose to stay in Australia. The team subsequently traveled from Sydney to Malaysia on March 10.
All but two of the women who sought asylum rejoined the team in Kuala Lumpur, which later flew to Oman. Upon their return, Iranian state media reported a celebratory reception awaiting them back in Iran. Midfielder Fatemeh Shaban remarked, "We are so happy to be in Iran, because Iran is our homeland." The reasons behind the five women’s change of heart remain unclear, but speculation suggests that the Iranian regime may have threatened their families.
Shiva Amini, a former Iranian national player now living in New York City, disclosed that she has been in touch with the two women who remained in Australia, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, as well as some players who returned to Iran. Amini, who gained asylum in Switzerland after facing threats, lamented, "This is beyond sad that they couldn’t stay...they’re gonna threaten your family." She mentioned that the regime had applied pressure on at least one player to ensure her return home.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei asserted that none of the five women who opted to return had been coerced by the Iranian government. He claimed they were misled into signing asylum papers under the pretense of drug testing. Australia's officials, however, denied any pressure was applied to the women during the process.
After the fifth player's return, Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite characterized the situation as "very complex." He emphasized that these decisions were personal and respected those who chose to return, while assuring continued support for the remaining two players in Australia.
