Iran Women’s Footballers Refuse to Sing National Anthem; Australia Grants Humanitarian Visas to Protect Five Players | WPN World People News

Five members of the Iranian women’s national football team who were in Australia for the Asian Cup recently sought protection from the Australian government after refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem before a match. Fearing they could be labeled “traitors” and face retaliation if they returned home, the players asked Australia for protection. The Australian government confirmed today that it has issued humanitarian visas to the five athletes.

According to a Reuters report, there had earlier been reports that the players applied for asylum in Australia. U.S. President Donald Trump also took notice of the situation and spoke by phone with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss the players’ circumstances.

Other members of the Iranian team remain at a hotel on the Gold Coast. Albanese said the Australian government is willing to offer assistance, but whether to accept that help ultimately depends on the players themselves. At a press conference in Canberra, he said, “The Australian people have great sympathy for the situation these brave women are facing. They are safe here and should feel that they belong here.”

The Iranian women’s team had traveled to Australia to participate in the Asian Cup football tournament. Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that the five players secretly left the hotel under the escort of Australian police and then sought assistance from the Australian government.

Trump had previously written on social media that sending the players back to Iran would be a “serious humanitarian mistake.” He later revealed that he had spoken with Albanese and praised the Australian government for its handling of the sensitive situation.

Trump said the five players have now received protection, and other team members are also being offered assistance. However, some players remain worried about the safety of their families and are still considering whether to return to Iran. He had earlier warned that if the players were forced to return, they could face danger to their lives, and even said that if Australia did not accept them, the United States would be willing to take them in.

Albanese said Trump called him at nearly 2 a.m., and he briefed him on Australia’s actions over the past 48 hours, including the five players’ request for help and the fact that they have been placed in a safe location.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. While the Iranian women’s team was competing in the Asian Cup in Australia, Iran was thrown into turmoil following joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed. Iran ultimately lost 0–2 to the Philippines on the 8th and was eliminated early from the Asian Cup.