The Iranian women’s soccer team entered Iran on Wednesday, returning home as questions linger over players’ safety after five members withdrew were forced to withdraw asylum claims in Australia.
The players — who were branded “wartime traitors” by Iranian broadcasters after failing to sing their national anthem at the women’s Asian Cup — were seen boarding a bus to the Turkey-Iran border early Wednesday.
Only one member smiled briefly and waved at TV cameras before the vehicle left Igdir Airport, with the women crossing the Gubulak border a few hours later.
The women have been in the global spotlight following their silence at the Asian Cup, which began just as the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
After being labeled traitors, seven members of the team sought asylum in Australia, where the tournament was held, with officials arguing that the women faced possible persecution if they returned.
The players were “given repeated chances to talk about their options” but ultimately faced “incredibly difficult decisions,” Australia Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement.
Tehran has had a history of persecuting athletes who protest the regime, including the 2020 execution of champion wrestler Navid Afkari, who was convicted of killing an Iranian security guard during a 2018 rally.
Only two women remained in Australia, with five members opting to return to Iran amid reports that their families would be in danger if they don’t come back home.
The five who withdrew their asylum bids had joined the rest of the team in Kuala Lumpur before they flew out to Turkey on Tuesday.
The Iranian Football Association has said that the women who chose to return would “once again be embraced by their families and homeland.”
The two remaining players, Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh, were recently seen happily training with the Brisbane Roar club on Tuesday after being granted asylum in Australia.
With Post Wire
