Footballers sing and salute anthem days after standing silent at Asian Cup
Matildas victory leaves Iran on brink of tournament exit and return home
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”.
The Iran players are currently competing in the Women’s Asian Cup, and lost 4-0 to the Matildas on the Gold Coast in their second group-stage match on Thursday.
Their final match is against the Philippines on Sunday night, after which they are due to return home to Iran.
