10.03.2026 18:10
The controversy over the asylum of the players of the Iran National Women's Football Team following the national anthem crisis is escalating. While five of the players, who were declared "traitors" by Iranian state television for not singing the national anthem during the match against South Korea, were granted asylum in Australia, the Tehran administration called on the athletes, saying, "Iran is waiting to embrace you, come home."
The asylum crisis surrounding the Iran National Women's Football Team has been brought to the international agenda. While 5 players who were declared "traitors" by Iranian state media for not singing the national anthem during the South Korea match were granted asylum in Australia, the Tehran administration called on the athletes to return to the country.
Australia granted asylum to 5 players of the Iran National Women's Football Team. Following this development, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ismail Bekayi called on the team players to "return home."
"IRAN IS WAITING WITH OPEN ARMS FOR YOU"
In a post on X, Bekayi stated, "They killed more than 165 innocent Iranian girl students in Minab with a Tomahawk attack, and now do they want to take our athletes hostage under the guise of 'rescue'? What great arrogance and hypocrisy this is. To the Iranian women's football team: Don't worry, Iran is waiting with open arms for you. Return home."
This post came shortly after the Iranian Prosecutor's Office invited the remaining members of the team to return to the country. The Prosecutor's Office announced that the concerns of the families of the players who applied for asylum would be addressed and that the athletes were called to "return to their country in a peaceful and secure environment."
AUSTRALIA GRANTED ASYLUM TO 5 PLAYERS
Australia's decision to grant visas to five players came after the team remained silent during the Iranian national anthem before their first match on March 3.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that 5 players of the Iran National Women's Football Team were granted asylum by the Canberra administration. Trump also stated that some athletes preferred to return to Iran due to concerns about their families' safety.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also stated in a post on his social media account that humanitarian visas were granted to 5 players of the Iran National Women's Football Team and that the athletes were safe in Australia.
According to claims in the international press, two more players applied for asylum in Australia. It was reported that the remaining players of the team and some staff members flew to Malaysia.