Iranian Women’s Soccer Players Seek Asylum After Anthem Protest

During the Women’s Asian Cup opening match on March 2, two members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team remained silent as the Iranian national anthem played. The silence was later confirmed by the players as a protest against Tehran’s crackdown on nationwide demonstrations. Demonstrators in Sydney called for the athletes to be offered asylum before the team departed the city on March 10. Seven players initially accepted Australia’s humanitarian-visa offer; only Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh ultimately remained in the country, later gaining Australian citizenship in August 2026 and joining the Wynnum Wolves semi-professional club in Brisbane.

Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia say anthem silence was protest Associated Press

The protest occurred amid a wave of anti-government demonstrations in Iran that began in late February, intensified after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory on Feb. 28. Iranian authorities responded with a harsh crackdown, resulting in numerous deaths and arrests. The players’ silence was interpreted by some Iranian media as treason, while others saw it as mourning for the victims of the attacks.

Associated Press

Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the government had no information about asylum options for the team at the time of the protest. U.S. President Donald Trump used social media to urge Australia to grant asylum and called Prime Minister Anthony Albanese directly. Albanese replied that four players and a team manager had already accepted humanitarian visas, though most later withdrew their applications.

Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia say anthem silence was protest

• “At that point, they had absolutely no information from us about the possibility of being able to stay,” — Tony Burke, australian immigration minister

Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia say anthem silence was protest

• “They tried to reassure me, saying: ‘Nothing will happen to you. This is your home. You must return home.’ But I told them my mind was made up and I was not coming back,” — Atefeh Ramezanisadeh

Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia say anthem silence was protest

• “We decided not to talk because I don’t want to put their lives in danger,” — Fatemeh Pasandideh

Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia say anthem silence was protest

• “We just wanted to stand with our people. I was scared at times, but I just tried to do what was right and say that no one should be killed just for protesting,” — Atefeh Ramezanisadeh

Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia say anthem silence was protest

• March 2 – Team remains silent during anthem; Iranian media label players traitors.

Associated Press

• March 10 – Public demonstrations in Sydney demand asylum for the athletes.

Associated Press

• August 2026 – Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh receive Australian citizenship.

Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia say anthem silence was protest