Australia Grants Citizenship to 2 Iranian Women’s Soccer Players Who Sought Asylum
The pair were among seven Iranian squad members who sought protection after a protest at the Women’s Asian Cup, with five later returning to Iran.
- Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke granted citizenship to former Iranian women footballers Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh at a ceremony, with both expressing they were "proud" of the status.
- Seeking protection in Australia, Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh fled after refusing to sing the national anthem during the Asian Cup in March, actions that branded them "traitors" in Iran.
- Brisbane Roar provided support throughout their asylum process, with a club spokesman saying, "To see them arrive at this point is something everyone here at Brisbane Roar is glad to have had a small part in."
- Five other teammates returned home, where Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claimed they "disappointed the enemies " and called them "children of the homeland."
- The status of those who returned to Iran remains unclear, though Brisbane Roar confirmed the door remains open for Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh to train with the club in Queensland.
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Two members of Iran's women's football team, who sought asylum in Australia in March, have been granted Australian citizenship.
Qualified as traitors in Iran for refusing to sing the national anthem before an Asian Cup match, two former footballers won Australian citizenship this Wednesday.
Two Iranian women’s football players granted Australian citizenship
The Refugee Council of Australia, a nonprofit umbrella organisation representing asylum-seekers, said refugees usually must live in Australia on a valid visa for four years before they can apply for citizenship.
Two Iranian women's national football players who decided not to sing the national anthem during the Women's Asian Cup and later sought asylum in Australia have been officially granted Australian citizenship.
Iranian Soccer Players Who Sought Asylum in Australia Granted Citizenship
Two Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia after participating in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup earlier this year have been granted Australian citizenship. Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh took part in the Asian Cup match between Iran and the Philippines in March, but concerns grew for the Iranian players after some refused to sing their country’s anthem. Seven members of the Iranian delegation, six players and one staff me…
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