US Edition
Australia grants asylum to 5 members of Iranian women's soccer team, official says
Five Iranian women soccer players were granted humanitarian visas after escaping handlers amid fears of persecution for refusing to sing their national anthem, Australian officials said.
- On Tuesday , Australia granted asylum and issued humanitarian visas to five members of the Iranian women's soccer team, Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said.
- After being knocked out over the weekend, the Iranian women's soccer team sought asylum, with five applying after at least seven left their hotel and families of three were threatened.
- The five protected women were identified as Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi, with Karimi saying 'It was amazing, mate' after their escape.
- Mr Burke said the rest of the team were offered the same opportunity and confirmed security clearances with ASIO and the AFP before approving visas.
- Public pressure intensified as petition signatories numbering more than 66,000 and more than 50,000 urged action, with supporters waving the pre-1979 Iranian flag and community supporters hoping more players will join.
254 Articles
254 Articles
Iran urges women footballers given asylum to come home: They killed schoolgirls
Australia granted asylum to five members of Iran’s women’s football team, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, after they sought humanitarian protection. Tehran has urged the players to return home, while the case has drawn attention worldwide amid the Iran war.
GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Australia granted asylum to five members of Iran’s women’s football team visiting the country for a tournament when Iran’s war began, a government minister reported Tuesday.
The Iranian national team did not sing the national anthem at the Asian Cup, which was seen as a protest against the regime. Football has a symbolic history for women in Iran
Five Iranian women football players granted asylum in Australia
Australia on Tuesday granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women soccer players after they sought asylum, fearing persecution on their return home for their refusal to sing the national anthem at an Asia Cup match. "Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a news conference in Canberra a day after police helped extract the women from their Iranian government handlers.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
