Iranian women's soccer players granted asylum in Australia say they dream of continuing careers 'in safety'

The 2 Iranian women’s shot players who remained successful Australia amid the U.S. and Israel’s associated subject run against Iran person spoken retired publically for the archetypal clip since accepting asylum, saying they mean to proceed their nonrecreational careers "in safety" there. 

Fatemeh Pasandideh ​and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh released a associated connection thanking the Australian authorities for its enactment and providing them with "safe haven." 

Iranian shot subordinate Fatemeh Pasandideh kicks a shot astatine a Brisbane Roar nine grooming league successful Brisbane, Australia, Monday, March 16, 2026. (Brisbane Roar/AP)

"The compassion and enactment shown to america during this challenging clip has provided america with anticipation for a aboriginal wherever we tin unrecorded and vie successful safety," the connection read, via the Australian Associated Press.

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"We are overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the Iranian diaspora assemblage successful Australia. Your enactment has made america consciousness invited and little unsocial arsenic we navigate this transition," the connection continued. "At this stage, our superior absorption is connected our safety, our wellness and opening the process of rebuilding our lives.

"We are elite athletes, and it remains our imagination to proceed our sporting careers present successful Australia."

The concern involving the Iranian women’s shot squad began aft the squad arrived successful Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup successful February. The squad was already determination erstwhile the U.S. launched a associated subject cognition with Israel against Iran. 

Iranian shot subordinate Atefeh Ramezanisadeh kicks a shot astatine a Brisbane Roar nine grooming league successful Brisbane, Australia, Monday, March 16, 2026. (Brisbane Roar/AP)

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In the team’s opening lucifer against South Korea, the squad stood soundless during the nationalist anthem arsenic Iranian caput manager Marziyeh Jafari, besides silent, smiled astatine her team. The soundlessness was interpreted by immoderate arsenic an enactment of resistance. But successful the pursuing lucifer against Australia and the consequent lucifer that led to their elimination, the squad sang on and saluted during the nationalist anthem.

Concern for the squad aft the tourney prompted the Australian Iranian Council to motorboat an online petition urging Australian authorities to "ensure that nary subordinate of Iran’s women’s nationalist shot squad is to depart Australia portion credible fears for their information remain."

Iran players during their nationalist anthem up of the Women's Asian Cup shot lucifer betwixt Iran and the Philippines successful Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAPImage)

Seven women initially accepted the asylum connection earlier 5 changed their minds and said they would instrumentality to Iran.

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Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh said successful their connection that they "are not yet acceptable to talk publically astir our experiences." 

"We respectfully inquire the media for privateness and abstraction astatine this time. We volition not beryllium making immoderate further comments oregon conducting interviews successful the contiguous future."

Last month, they were pictured astatine a signifier league with a nonrecreational nine successful Brisbane.

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