Seven members of the Iranian women’s soccer team have remained in Australia, while the rest of the squad has now left the country for Iran, according to reports.
Earlier on Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that five players had been granted asylum by Australia, amid fears over their safety should they return to Iran.
Now, a source close to the squad has told CNN Sports that another two members of the team – a player and a member of staff – have also sought asylum in Australia.
The team had been playing in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
US President Donald Trump joined Iranian groups urging the Australian government to help the women after they were knocked out of the tournament over the weekend and faced the prospect of returning to a country under bombardment and possible punishment by the regime for not singing the national anthem before their opening match.
Early on Tuesday, Australian federal police officers transported five of the women from their hotel in Gold Coast, Australia, “to a safe location” after they made asylum requests. There, they met with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke where their humanitarian visas was finalised, the minister told reporters in Brisbane hours later.
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