Three squad members to remain in Australia on specially granted protection visas
Three more members of the Iranian women’s football squad have left Australia, leaving behind teammates who sought asylum after playing in the Women’s Asian Cup.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said on Sunday morning the trio had decided to join the rest of the team in Iran, after being issued special protection visas to stay in Australia.
The decision means just three of the seven squad members who had sought asylum will remain.
The team were labeled “wartime traitors” after players refused to sing the country’s national anthem before a match at the tournament. Their plight attracted international attention and even calls for support by US President Donald Trump last week, amid the escalating Middle East war.
