The Australian government reported this Tuesday (9) that it granted humanitarian visas to five members of the Iranian women’s football team who requested protection in the country. The decision comes after a public appeal from United States President Donald Trump, who asked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to grant asylum to the athletes and said Washington would welcome them if Australia did not.
According to Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke, the requests were approved in the early hours of Monday.
“I signed the authorizations and the process was completed by my department a few hours ago,” the minister told reporters. Burke also stated that the five players were removed from the hotel where they were staying and taken to “a safe location” under the supervision of the Australian Federal Police.
According to the minister, the other team members remain in the delegation’s official accommodation, but will have the opportunity to submit a request for protection if they wish.
“I tell the other team members that the same opportunity is available. Australia has welcomed the Iranian women’s team into our hearts,” she said.
The players are in the country to compete in the Women’s Asian Cup. The situation gained repercussions after part of the team remained silent during the Iranian national anthem before the debut match in the competition, a gesture that, according to information, led regime authorities in Tehran to classify the athletes as “traitors”.
In a publication on the Truth Social network, Trump stated that Australia would be committing a “terrible humanitarian error” if it allowed the forced return of the players to Iran. “Give them asylum”, wrote the American president.
In a new post this Monday, Trump reported that he spoke with Albanese and confirmed that five female athletes from the Iranian team had already been treated and that the “rest are on the way”. Trump praised the Australian Prime Minister’s government for handling the situation.
According to the international press, some athletes are divided over their request for refuge in Australia because they fear reprisals against family members who remain in Iran. Human rights organizations and the international players’ union FIFPRO for Asia/Oceania have asked for safety guarantees for the athletes.
