US Edition
Trump says Australia has taken care of some Iranian women soccer players
Five Iranian players sought asylum in Australia amid fears of persecution for anthem protest, with U.S. President Trump urging Australia to protect the team or the U.S. would intervene.
- On Mar 9, 2026, Trump said, 'Five have already been taken care of' after urging Australia to grant asylum to Iran's women’s soccer team, with the US ready to accept them if needed.
- Iranian state media labelled the Iran women's national football team's anthem silence on Mar 2, 2026 as dishonour, with presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi saying, 'Traitors during wartime must be dealt with more severely', raising fears of persecution.
- Several players evaded their handlers and entered protective custody with the Australian Federal Police, while Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke met them in Brisbane as bridging visas were arranged.
- More than 50,000 people have signed a petition calling for protection, while FIFA said it was in close contact with Australian authorities and FIFPRO expressed serious concern.
- Against that backdrop, observers pointed out that Trump's asylum offer contrasts with the Trump administration's record of deportations and sits within a history of defections at sporting events, like the 1956 Hungarian Olympics, when nearly half of the delegation defected, as David Hejmanowski wrote.
79 Articles
79 Articles
Iranian National Women's Soccer Team Members Get Asylum In Australia After Trump Tells PM He Was Making A 'Terrible Mistake'
Donald Trump urged Australia to grant asylum to members of the Iran women's national football team after their silent anthem protest at the AFC Women's Asian Cup sparked safety concerns, with Australia ultimately giving protection to five players and exiled prince Reza Pahlavi thanking Trump for raising the issue. Importance Rank: 1
If Australia doesn't accept it, the US will. Trump urges Iranian women's soccer team to seek asylum if country remains silent. Australia's home affairs minister grants asylum. US President Donald Trump has urged the Australian government to grant asylum to the Iranian women's soccer team after they refused to sing the national anthem during a match in Australia.
Trump to Australia: ‘Grant Asylum to Iranian Women’s Soccer Players’
U.S. president Donald Trump has urged Australia to provide asylum to members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team, criticizing the decision to send them back to Iran as a “terrible humanitarian mistake.” The team had competed in the Australian-hosted Asian Cup, which coincided with U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They were eliminated from the tournament after a 2-0 loss to the Philippine…
U.S. President Donald Trump this Monday asked the Australian government to grant asylum to the women’s football team from Iran who participated in the Asian Cup and warned that Washington will receive the athletes if the southern country does not agree to shelter them. “Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing them to force Iran’s national women’s football team to return to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’…
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