Australia urged to protect Iran women's football team as they prepare to fly home

Concern has grown for team after one critic called them 'wartime traitors' for failing to salute during the Iranian anthem.

Following their elimination from the Women's Asian Cup, concerns have been raised about the safety of Iran's women's football team upon returning home, with calls for the Australian government to offer protection.

The Australian government has been urged to allow the Iran women’s national team players to remain in Australia after a state-aligned conservative commentator in Iran described them as 'wartime traitors' and said they must be 'dealt with more severely'.

Five members of Iran's women's football team have been granted asylum in Australia due to fears of persecution upon returning to Iran after their participation in the Women's Asian Cup.

Rights groups and activists have urged Australia to offer refuge to Iran's women's football team amid fears of reprisals after they refused to sing the national anthem during a match.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that Australia will grant asylum to five members of Iran's women's football team amid concerns for their safety after they refused to sing the national anthem during a match.

Five members of the Iranian women's football team have been granted humanitarian visas in Australia, with the prime minister offering assistance to the other players and stating 'help is here'.

The Iranian women's football team faces uncertainty about their return home after being labelled 'traitors' on Iranian state TV for not singing the national anthem before their first match. The team's coach expressed eagerness to return to Iran as soon as possible.

FIFPRO has urged FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to protect Iran's women's football team after they were labelled 'traitors' by Iranian state television for remaining silent during the national anthem before their opening match.

The Australian government has been urged to allow the Iran women’s national team players to remain in Australia after being labeled 'wartime traitors' in Iran for not singing the national anthem during a match.

Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women's soccer team who were in the country for the Women's Asian Cup when war broke out in Iran on February 28. The decision followed public support from Iranian-Australian communities and international pressure, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Australia to offer protection. The five women were moved to a secure location and met with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who finalized their humanitarian visas. The players were not politically active but expressed joy and relief at their new opportunities in Australia.

Iran's women's soccer team was eliminated from the Women's Asian Cup after a 2-0 loss to the Philippines, amid safety concerns due to recent conflicts in Iran. The Australian Iranian Council has urged the Australian government to protect the team members while they are in Australia.

In a post on Truth Social, former U.S. President Donald Trump urged Australia to grant asylum to members of Iran's national women’s soccer team, warning that they could be killed if forced to return to Iran. His remarks followed reports that several players remained silent during Iran’s national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia—an act widely viewed as a sign of protest amid ongoing war and repression in Iran. Trump said he had spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, commending him for efforts in protecting the team and noting that five players had already been taken to safety. Australian authorities reportedly moved them to a safe house following the team's exit from the tournament after losing to the Philippines. Meanwhile, an online petition by the Australian Iranian Council, with over 74,000 signatures, called on Australia to block the team's return until safety concerns are addressed and ensure asylum access for any player seeking protection. Iranian state media labeled the players “wartime traitors,” intensifying fears of persecution.