MELBOURNE, Australia — In a significant reversal, three additional members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team have opted to return to their homeland after initially accepting refugee status in Australia, according to an official government announcement on Sunday.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the development, stating that the athletes made the conscious decision to rejoin their teammates for the journey back to Iran. “After informing Australian officials of their choice, the players were provided multiple opportunities to discuss alternative options,” Minister Burke emphasized in his formal statement.
The team originally arrived in Australia to compete in the Women’s Asian Cup tournament last month, prior to the escalation of Middle East conflicts that began on February 28. Of the 26-member delegation, seven individuals—including six players and one support staff member—initially sought humanitarian protection visas following the competition.
The recent departures mean only three of the original seven asylum seekers remain in Australia. One additional member had previously reversed her decision and left the country earlier. The remaining Iranian contingent had already departed from Sydney to Malaysia on March 9, leaving behind those who initially pursued refugee status.