Three more members of Iran's women's national soccer team, who had accepted refugee visas to stay in Australia, have decided to return to their home country. This decision leaves only two of the original seven players remaining in Australia, according to statements from Australian government officials.
Key Takeaways
Three more Iranian women's soccer players who initially accepted refugee visas to stay in Australia have decided to return home, leaving only two of the original seven players remaining in the country.
- Three additional Iranian women's soccer players chose not to seek asylum in Australia
- Only two of the initial seven players remain in Australia after recent departures
- The team arrived for the Asian Cup before the Middle East war began on February 28
The three players chose to join the rest of their team on their journey back to Iran. The initial group of six players and one support staff member had accepted humanitarian visas before the rest of the Iranian delegation left Sydney for Malaysia on March 9. One player changed her mind later and departed Australia, while another three left for Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night.
The team arrived in Australia for the Asian Cup last month, prior to the start of the Middle East war on February 28. Concerns about their safety in Iran were heightened when the players refused to sing the Iranian national anthem before their first match. The Australian government faced pressure from Iranian groups in Australia and U.S. President Donald Trump to assist the women.
The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that the three players who left Australia on Saturday are "returning to the warm embrace of their family and homeland." Some members of the Iranian diaspora in Australia have accused a support staff member, who initially accepted asylum but later left Australia, of spreading Iranian government propaganda to her teammates via text messages.
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