Australia has agreed to grant asylum visas to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team, foreign media reports.
The players refused to sing the Iranian national anthem at an Asian Cup tournament. Australian authorities said that they were granted such visas because they could be punished if they return to Iran.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said at a news conference on Monday, “They are welcome to stay in Australia, they are safe here, they should feel at home here.”
The Department of Home Affairs named the five team members as captain Zahra Ganbari, midfielders Fatime Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali Alisha, Mona Hamoudi, and defender Atefeh Ramezanisadeh.