KUALA LUMPUR – Three members of Iran’s women’s national football team, who had sought asylum in Australia, have chosen to return home, highlighting the difficult decisions faced by the athletes amid controversy surrounding the squad.
Australia’s Home Minister, Tony Burke, confirmed that the three individuals had notified authorities of their intention to withdraw their asylum applications and leave Australia for Iran.
“While the Australian government ensured that opportunities were made available and clearly explained to them, we recognise that the circumstances surrounding the players’ decisions are extremely difficult,” he said in a statement today.
Iran’s state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB News), reported that the three players arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 this morning.
A social media post by the broadcaster featured a photograph of the players with Iran’s ambassador to Malaysia, Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi, in Kuala Lumpur.
IRIB News said the athletes had formally withdrawn their asylum requests and contacted the Iranian embassy in Malaysia.
Last Wednesday, reports indicated that about 20 members of Iran’s women’s football team had travelled from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur after competing in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Australia. Several team members had sought asylum earlier, citing fears of potential repercussions if they returned to Iran.
Concerns escalated after anti-Iran activists expressed worry over the players’ initial refusal to sing the Iranian national anthem before their opening tournament match, raising fears they could be labelled traitors by authorities in Tehran. The players later sang the national anthem and saluted the flag in the remaining two matches.
The episode prompted the Australian government to offer humanitarian visas to several delegation members, though some ultimately decided against pursuing them.
It is understood the players are currently in Kuala Lumpur awaiting flights back to Tehran.
The team has faced intense international scrutiny amid rising tensions in West Asia following US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, with critics and pro-monarchy activists amplifying attention on the players’ actions during the tournament.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, said the government was ready to welcome the players home and insisted they had no reason to fear returning to the country. – March 15, 2026