Four more members of Iran s women s soccer team withdraw Australia asylum claims

Four additional members of the Iranian women’s soccer team have withdrawn their requests for asylum in Australia, reportedly due to pressure from Tehran, according to two sources familiar with the situation. Two players, Mona Hamoudi and Zahra Sarbali, along with staff member Zahra Meshkekar, arrived in Malaysia on Saturday and are expected to travel to Tehran, as reported by Iranian state media, which also shared a photo of the three women together. CNN has learned that a fourth woman has also decided to withdraw her request, with one source attributing this change to pressure from Iran. The state media identified this fourth individual as team captain Zahra Ghanbari, who is also returning to Iran. They were part of seven members from the Iranian women’s national football team—six players and one support staff—who received refugee visas to stay in Australia after participating in the Women’s Asian Cup earlier this month. These women sought asylum due to fears of persecution upon returning to their war-torn country, especially after they refused to sing Iran’s national anthem during their opening match against South Korea. This act led to backlash from hardliners in Iran, with one state media presenter branding them “wartime traitors.” Earlier in the week, another member of the team had already left Australia, leaving just two from the original group. Australian Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke stated on Sunday, “After informing Australian officials of their decision, the players were given numerous opportunities to discuss their options.” He added, “While the Australian Government can provide and communicate options, we cannot change the context in which these players are making such difficult choices.” The Asian Cup began shortly after the U.S. and Israel conducted airstrikes on Iran, resulting in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Republic's supreme leader. The Iranian team was eliminated from the tournament last Sunday.