Iran’s foreign ministry has accused Australia of holding members of its women’s football team “hostage” after seven players sought asylum during the Asian Cup tournament in Sydney. The accusation came as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that one player had changed her mind and decided to return to Iran.
Mr Burke said on Wednesday that the player had contacted the Iranian embassy after speaking with teammates who had left Australia, prompting an urgent operation to move the other asylum seekers to a safe location. “In Australia, people are able to change their mind,” he told parliament, adding that officials had verified the decision was voluntary.
Two additional squad members – understood to be Mohaddeseh Zolfi and support staffer Zahra Soltan Meshkeh Kar – were granted humanitarian visas on Wednesday, bringing the total to seven. The visas offer a pathway to permanent residency, and the women will receive settlement services including English language support and employment assistance.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, wrote on X that Australia’s actions were hypocritical, accusing the government of “taking our athletes hostage in the name of ‘saving’ them”. He urged the players to return home, saying “Iran awaits you with open arms.”
Mr Burke acknowledged that helping family members of the asylum seekers would be difficult, but noted that permanent residents could sponsor relatives. He confirmed that nearly all squad members had been interviewed individually without Iranian officials present, and that those linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were not offered visas.
