5 Iranian Soccer Players Granted Asylum in Australia After Trump's Call With Prime Minister
President Donald Trump on Monday praised Australia for providing asylum to some members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team, although some athletes have declined the help.
“I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return.”
Trump earlier warned Australia it would be a "terrible humanitarian mistake” not to protect them, suggesting the women would be “killed” if forced back home.
But the president on Monday expressed satisfaction with Australia’s support, saying the prime minister is doing a “very good job” given the “delicate situation.”
Australia on Tuesday confirmed it will provide visas to five of Iran's women's soccer team players to stay in the country after they sought asylum, fearing persecution in their home nation.
"Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women," Albanese told a news conference in Canberra on Tuesday.
"They’re safe here, and they should feel at home here."
The team was eliminated from the Asian Cup tournament in Australia after losing 2-0 to the Philippines on March 8.
The women sang and saluted their national anthem ahead of their final match, but only after its decision to remain silent at their first matchup against South Korea. Back home, the women were labeled by Iranian state tv as “wartime traitors.”
The team then sang the anthem and saluted before their second match against Australia, sparking fears among human rights advocates that the athletes had come under pressure and had been coerced to do so. Global players' union FIFPRO also expressed concerns earlier Monday about the welfare of the team as they prepared to return home.
The team's coach, Marziyeh Jafari, said after the final game that the team was keen to return home.
"We are very impatiently waiting to return," Jafari told the media in a post-game news conference. "Personally, I would like to return to my country as soon as possible and be with my compatriots and family."
Some supporters had waved the pre-1979 Iranian flag and booed the national anthem at the Asian World Cup and even tried to prevent the team coach from leaving the stadium precinct, chanting "Save our girls!"
Meanwhile, Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had flown to Brisbane to meet with the five women who successfully sought asylum.
The ongoing military operation, “Operation Epic Fury,” was launched after ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program fell apart. Trump said Iran was developing long-range missiles that could reach the United States, an issue that has been a major sticking point in negotiations.
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