Five Iranian Women Footballers Granted Asylum in Australia After Anthem Protest

Five members of Iran's women's national football team have been granted asylum in Australia, following their silent protest during the national anthem at an international tournament. The athletes faced potential persecution upon returning home after refusing to sing the anthem before a match.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed on Tuesday, March 10, that he had signed off on humanitarian visas for the five players. He stated that Australian police had placed the athletes "in a safe location" while their applications were processed.

The controversy began during the Asian Cup hosted by Australia. Before their match against South Korea, the Iranian players stood in silence as their national anthem played, an act described by Iranian state television as the "peak of dishonor." The team's coach was seen smiling during the moment of protest. In subsequent matches, the team did sing the anthem.

The situation drew international attention, including from former U.S. President Donald Trump. On Monday, March 9, Trump publicly urged Australia to grant asylum to the athletes, warning that they faced a "highly likely" threat of death if forced to return to Iran. He promised that if Australia did not act, the United States would provide refuge.

Trump later posted on his Truth Social platform that Australian authorities had approved asylum for five players and that others were awaiting processing. He noted a difficult dilemma for some athletes: "Some, however, believe they must return because they worry about the safety of their families, considering threats to family members if they do not return."

Reports from CNN Sports indicate that at least seven players left the team's camp during the tournament. The fates of two other women who departed remain unclear.

The Iranian team was eliminated from the Asian Cup after losing its final group stage match to the Philippines on Sunday, March 8. Teams exiting at this stage typically depart the host country within days, placing immediate pressure on decisions regarding the players' status.