Newsdesk

Gold Coast: Five players from Iran’s visiting women’s national football team have sought asylum in Australia after they were reportedly branded “traitors” at home for refusing to sing the national anthem before a tournament match.

The players remained silent as the anthem played ahead of a match against South Korea during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Gold Coast, an act widely interpreted as a protest against authorities in Iran.

According to officials, five players — including team captain Zahra Ghanbari — quietly left the team hotel late at night and approached Australian authorities to request protection.

Anthony Albanese confirmed that the players had been granted safety in the country. “Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women. They’re safe here, and they should feel at home here,” he said.

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government had held several days of confidential discussions with the players before transferring them to a secure location after they left the hotel. He added that they were granted special humanitarian visas to remain in Australia.

Following the decision, Burke said the players celebrated and expressed relief, while noting that the rest of the Iranian squad would also be welcome to stay in Australia if they wished.

The situation drew international attention, with Donald Trump urging Australia to grant the athletes asylum, warning it would be a “terrible humanitarian mistake” to send them back to Iran.

The controversy began after the players stood silently during the Iranian national anthem before the match. An Iranian state television presenter later labeled them “wartime traitors,” intensifying fears about their safety if they returned home.

Exiled Iranian figure Reza Pahlavi also called on the Australian government to ensure the players’ safety, saying they were under significant pressure and threat from authorities in Iran.

The issue sparked demonstrations outside the stadium in Gold Coast, where supporters gathered chanting slogans such as “Let them go” and “Save our girls,” while calling for political change in Iran.

It remains unclear whether the rest of the Iranian squad will return home or seek similar protection in Australia.