The paperwork was done, the offer of safe asylum was signed and sealed, all Iranian women's soccer player Golnoosh Khosravi had to do was not step on the plane. Sydney-based Iranians in touch with the departing team said the 25-year-old was a sure bet to join a list of the women soccer players defecting from their homeland to stay in Australia. The problem with Golnoosh getting her mother's blessing to defect was 'just getting through to her', one Iranian at the airport said. The Mail understands that this player was Golnoosh Khosravi, and that she had signed the relevant paperwork to stay but had then changed her mind and boarded. Ms Khosravi, who appears to be a devout Muslim, also philosophises about life and being an international soccer star in her posts.

Source: Metro March 11, 2026 09:39 UTC