Australia Grants Asylum to Two More Iranian Womens Football Team Members

Seven members of the Iranian women’s football team have been granted asylum in Australia, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. Two additional players have received humanitarian visas, bringing the total number of team members with protection to seven.

Five players were initially granted asylum due to concerns for their safety if they returned to Iran following a recent match where the team failed to sing their national anthem before playing. A player and a member of the support staff decided to stay in Australia after seeking asylum. The pair has now joined five other team members who received humanitarian visas on Tuesday.

The players were given individual interviews by Australian officials and interpreters at Sydney airport, without Iranian minders present, where they were offered asylum. Minister Burke stated that the process was conducted with caution, allowing each player to make their own decision.

Seven temporary humanitarian visas have been issued to the team members, which are valid for 12 months and provide a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. The visas are similar to those granted to applicants from Ukraine, Palestine, and Afghanistan.

The team’s departure from their hotel on the Gold Coast and arrival at Sydney airport took place amid protests by Iranian Australians who sought to prevent the women from leaving the country due to concerns for their safety in Iran. Following the initial reports of asylum requests, the office of Iran’s general prosecutor stated that the remaining members of the team were invited home “with peace and confidence”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged the players to return to Iran.

The high-profile offer of asylum comes as Australia has introduced legislation to ban people from certain countries traveling to Australia who authorities fear might overstay their visa due to the war in the Middle East.

Source: Al Jazeera