Five Iran soccer players granted asylum in AustraliaAFP, GOLD COAST, AustraliaFive players in Iran’s women’s soccer team have taken asylum in Australia over fears of persecution at home for not singing the national anthem before a match, the Australian government said yesterday. The Iranian players’ silence during the anthem ahead of a Women’s Asian Cup match in Australia last week was widely seen as an act of defiance against the Islamic Republic. Five players escaped the team hotel on Australia’s Gold Coast overnight, holing up in a “safe location” while lodging their claims for asylum, Australian Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said. From left, Iran players Atefeh Imani, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Sana Sadeghi react during their national anthem ahead of their Women’s Asian Cup Group A match against the Philippines on the Gold Coast, Australia, on Sunday. A presenter on Iranian state TV had branded the players “wartime traitors” after they stood motionless during the anthem before their match against South Korea.

Source: Taipei Times March 10, 2026 17:13 UTC