Three more Iran women's soccer players return home from asylum in Australia
Three more Iran women's soccer players return home from asylum in Australia
Three more members withdraw asylum plans and return to Iran after being granted refugee visas in Australia, amid ongoing tensions over anthem protests and domestic pressure.
Three more players, including Zahra Soltan Meshkehkar, Mona Hamoudi and Zahra Sarbali, have joined the earlier teammate in withdrawing their asylum applications and returning to Iran after being granted refugee visas in Australia. The decision underscores a dramatic chapter for the Iran women’s team, which drew global attention for staying quiet during the national anthem at an AFC Women’s Asian Cup match on March 2. State media in Iran framed the move as a victory against psychological warfare, while supporters say the players face mounting pressure from authorities back home and safety concerns for themselves and their families. In Sydney, the hosts had offered refugee visas to several team members and staff, with seven accepting and one withdrawing earlier, a pattern that has continued to unfold in the weeks since the incident. Australia’s home affairs minister said the government has done everything possible to ensure the players’ safety and provide genuine options, even as the players evaluated the risks of staying versus returning. The latest withdrawals, led by Soltan Meshkehkar’s earlier decision, highlight the fragile edges where sport, politics and personal security intersect on the world stage. While some teammates reportedly remain in Australia on protection visas, the broader episode continues to fuel debate about athletes’ rights, state pressure and the role of sport in diplomacy.
