Iranian Women Footballers Return Home After Seeking Asylum in Australia

By Tunji Wusu

• Three Iranian women footballers—Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Sarbali, and Zahra Meshkehkar—have decided to return to Iran after previously seeking asylum in Australia.
• Australia had granted humanitarian visas to seven players who feared persecution after refusing to sing the national anthem at a Women’s Asian Cup match.
• The players will travel via Malaysia to reunite with their families and rejoin the national team.

Australia’s government confirmed that three members of Iran’s women’s football team, who had sought asylum, will return home. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the players were given repeated opportunities to discuss their options, but ultimately chose to return to their homeland.

The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) stated that the three players will arrive in Tehran via Malaysia and be welcomed by their families. Their Asian Cup campaign coincided with heightened tensions, including U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in Iran, and the team was eliminated from the tournament last Sunday.