In a significant reversal, three additional members of Iran’s women’s football delegation have withdrawn their applications for humanitarian protection in Australia and will return to Iran. The individuals have been identified by diaspora human rights activists as players Mona Hamoudi and Zahra Sarbali, along with technical staff member Zahra Soltan Meshkehkar.
The initial asylum bids followed a politically charged incident during the Asian Cup tournament, where the team’s silent protest during Iran’s national anthem before their March 2nd match against South Korea drew severe criticism back home. Iranian state media labeled them “war traitors,” raising international concerns about potential repercussions.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the developments, stating his government had “done everything it could to ensure the women were given the chance to have a safe future in the country.” He emphasized that while Australia provided genuine choices and supportive authorities, the players were making decisions within a difficult context beyond Australia’s control.
Iran’s Sports Ministry celebrated the returns as a victory, claiming in an official statement that “the national spirit and patriotism of the Iranian women’s national football team defeated the enemy’s plans.” The ministry additionally accused Australia’s government of “playing in Trump’s field,” suggesting geopolitical motivations behind the asylum offers.
The IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency, which first broke the story, reported the three women were en route to Kuala Lumpur to rejoin their squad after “resisting psychological warfare, extensive propaganda and seductive offers.” Their departure reduces the number of remaining defectors from the original seven to just three, following another player’s decision to return on Wednesday.
The situation developed after five team members initially refused to return following Iran’s elimination from the tournament, slipping away from minders at their Gold Coast hotel and being secured by Australian Federal Police. The remaining Iranian players departed Australia on Tuesday night, concluding a tournament that became unexpectedly politicized.