Iran Women’s Footballers Granted Humanitarian Visas in Australia After Anthem Protest Against South Korea

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Five football players of the Iranian women's football team have been granted humanitarian visas in Australia over fears for their safety after the team declined to sing the national anthem ahead of their match against South Korea last week.

Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the women "were moved to a safe location" by Australian police. Burke further said that other squad members have also been invited to stay in the country on humanitarian grounds.

"They want to be clear they are not political activists. They are athletes who want to be safe," Burke added, saying that talks had been going on for several days.

The move has drawn criticism from the Iranian sports community, with one commentator accusing the team of being "Wartime Traitors" in such a difficult situation that the country is facing. He further asked the government to give stringent punishment to all the football players who decided to stay back in Australia.

The five players who decided to stay back in Australia are Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi. The group has also been offered training with the A-League Women's club Brisbane Roar.

Advocates connected to the group believed more, including possibly some staff, were considering staying in Australia. But the group, which is still under surveillance by the minders around the team.

Refugee advocate and former Socceroo Craig Foster said the players should receive independent legal advice before departing the country. "We have a duty of care to these women now, from between now and when they may leave, that they're all provided with that opportunity," he said, quoted the ABC.

Where Is The Rest Of The Team?

The rest of the team is headed to Gold Coast Airport, from where they will fly to Sydney later this evening, back home.

The team's coach was briefly stopped by dozens of activists who tried to persuade the other players to stay in Australia. Some protesters lay on the ground in an attempt to block the coach from moving forward. The players watched from inside the bus.