Iranian Women’s Footballers Seek Asylum After Anthem Protest

During the Women’s Asian Cup, two members of Iran’s women’s football squad—Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh (22)—refused to sing the Iranian national anthem ahead of the team’s opening match against South Korea scheduled for March 2. The silence was intended as a protest against Tehran’s violent crackdown on nationwide demonstrations. Demonstrators in Sydney called for the players to be granted asylum before the squad departed Australia on March 10.

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

The protest occurred amid heightened tensions after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran that began on February 28. Iranian domestic media labeled the players “traitors,” while some observers interpreted the silence as mourning. The team offered no public explanation at the venue, leaving the act open to competing narratives.

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Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the players had received no information about the possibility of staying in Australia at the time of the match. U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media urging that the squad receive protection and later called Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss the issue. Albanese informed Trump that four players and a team manager had accepted humanitarian visas. Ultimately, seven team members initially accepted Australia’s asylum offer, but only Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh remained in the country. Both now play for the Wynnum Wolves semi-professional team in Brisbane and were later granted Australian citizenship.

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

• Two players publicly refused the anthem.

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• Seven squad members initially accepted asylum; all but the two women later withdrew their applications.

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• The protest sparked public demonstrations demanding asylum before the March 10 departure.

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

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• “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

The Independent