Three members of Iranian women’s soccer team reverse asylum decision, Australia confirms

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Three members of the Iranian women's national soccer team who had earlier accepted refugee visas in Australia have decided to reverse their decision and return to their team, according to Australian officials.

The development was confirmed on Sunday, March 15, by Tony Burke, Australia’s home affairs minister. His statement came after the players informed authorities they wanted to leave the country and rejoin their teammates.

The situation unfolded amid the broader turmoil caused by the war in the Middle East, which began on February 28 and has created uncertainty for many Iranian athletes competing abroad.

Tony Burke confirms players were given 'repeated chances to talk about their options'

Burke said the decision came after the three players informed Australian officials that they wanted to leave and reunite with the rest of their team.

“Overnight, three members of the Iranian Women's Football Team made the decision to join the rest of the team on their journey back to Iran,” Burke said in a statement.

He also stressed that officials ensured the players were fully aware of their options before departing.

“After telling Australian officials they had made this decision, the players were given repeated chances to talk about their options,” Burke added.

Their departure now means that only three of the original seven players who accepted humanitarian visas remain in Australia.

The Iranian team had arrived in Australia last month to compete in the Women's Asian Cup before the conflict in the region escalated.

Asylum controversy began after several players accepted humanitarian visas

The situation began when several members of the Iranian squad decided to stay in Australia rather than return with the rest of the team.

From a roster of 26 players and staff members, six players along with a support staff member initially accepted humanitarian visas that allowed them to remain in the country.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Iranian delegation left Sydney and traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 9.

However, the number of players staying in Australia soon began to shrink.

One of the athletes later changed her mind and left the country.

Then, on Saturday night, three more members — two players and a support staff member boarded a flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, according to a government official.

Their exit further reduced the group of Iranian team members who had originally chosen to remain in Australia.

Iranian media frames players’ return as a 'failure of the American-Australian project'

Iranian media outlets quickly reacted to the news of the players returning to the team.

The country’s Tasnim News Agency reported that the three departing individuals were two players and a member of the support staff.

In its coverage, the outlet described their return in emotional terms.

The players, it said, were “returning to the warm embrace of their family and homeland.”

The agency also framed the development as a broader political statement.

According to Tasnim, the decision represented the “disgraceful failure of the American-Australian project and another failure for Trump.”

Earlier, the Australian government had faced pressure from Iranians living in Australia, as well as from President Donald Trump, to assist members of the women’s team who might wish to remain in the country.

Concerns about the players’ safety had intensified after members of the team declined to sing Iran’s national anthem before their first match, a gesture that drew significant attention.

Iran’s future in international soccer  faces uncertainty

The situation involving the women’s team is unfolding at a time when the future of Iranian soccer on the global stage remains uncertain.

The participation of the Iranian men's national football team in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the US has become a subject of debate as tensions surrounding the war continue.

US officials told CBS News earlier that Trump had informed representatives from FIFA, including its president, Gianni Infantino, that Iran’s team would be allowed to compete in the tournament.

Infantino later confirmed the message on social media, writing that Trump had “reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”

However, officials in Iran expressed doubts about whether participation would be possible.

Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said the country could not take part in the World Cup while the war was ongoing.

Trump later appeared to shift his position as well.

Speaking on Thursday, he suggested it might not be appropriate for Iran’s team to participate, citing concerns about the players’ safety.

He said he believed allowing the team to compete might not be “appropriate” given the risks “for their own life and safety.”