Australia has granted asylum to six Iranian women football players and one member of the coaching staff after they refused to sing Iran’s national anthem during an Asian Cup match against South Korea in Sydney earlier this month, a move widely interpreted as a symbolic act of protest.
The players were part of a 26-member Iranian delegation that had arrived in Australia shortly before tensions escalated in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli strikes in the region.
Australian authorities confirmed that the seven individuals who sought protection have been issued temporary humanitarian visas, which could eventually allow them to apply for permanent residency in the country.
However, Australia’s Minister of Home Affairs said that one of the players who initially requested asylum later contacted the Iranian embassy, a decision that authorities said they respect.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Iranian team and staff left Sydney for Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday night, arriving in Malaysia early Wednesday in what observers described as an emotional departure.
After initially refusing to sing the national anthem during the opening match, the players later sang it in subsequent games against Australia and the Philippines.
The situation has drawn attention from the Iranian-Australian community, with some activists attempting to prevent the players from leaving the country due to fears for their safety if they return to Iran.
Source: Newstimehub
