They wrote that Iranian footballers who sought asylum in Australia were removed from a secure location after a team member changed her mind and revealed his location to the Iranian embassy. Agence France-Presse and espn.
Seven members of the Iranian women’s team who attended the tournament (football players and a staff member) have requested asylum in Australia. They refused to sing the national anthem before the match and were called “traitors” at home.
But one of the participants then changed her mind, after speaking with other footballers who had been refused asylum and decided to return to Iran, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said.
The participant, who changed her mind, contacted the Iranian embassy, which, according to Burke, “eventually found out where everyone was.” “I immediately ordered the people to be transferred to another location, which was done immediately,” Burke said.
The Australian Home Affairs Minister added that the Australian authorities were “satisfied that this was the participant’s own decision.” “In Australia, people have the right to change their minds, and they have the right to move freely. We respect the circumstances under which this decision was made,” he said.
Burke also said that at Sydney Airport, each player was taken to a separate room before returning home on the evening of March 10 and asked to consider seeking asylum. They were not rushed or pressured. Burke said some had contacted their families in Iran to discuss the matter, but no one else had decided to remain in Australia.