Remaining Iranian Footballers Integrate into A-League Training as Teammates Depart

The Iranian women’s soccer team has departed Malaysia and is en route to Oman, while two of their members, who are seeking asylum in Australia, have begun training with a local A-League club.

This departure concludes a period of uncertainty following the asylum requests that caused a diplomatic stir. Initially, five out of the seven team members who sought asylum decided to return to the team in Kuala Lumpur, reversing their earlier decision.

At the airport, the team members chose not to engage with reporters during the lengthy check-in process and as they awaited their Monday night flight.

Meanwhile, the two players who opted to stay in Australia have integrated into the Brisbane Roar’s training sessions with the women’s A-League squad.

The club shared images from Monday’s practice, showing Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh in high spirits, clad in the team’s Queensland colors.

Brisbane Roar CEO, Kaz Patafta said his club welcomed and supported the players but declined to comment further, directing questions to the Department of Home Affairs.

“We remain committed to providing a supportive environment for them whilst they navigate the next stages,” he said.

Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John earlier told The Associated Press his organisation was supporting the Iranian team in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the AFC was told they are flying to Oman, but that isn’t their final destination and that he wasn’t aware of their full travel plans.

Asked if the confederation was satisfied that the women would be safe back in Iran, Mr Windsor said the AFC and FIFA would check up on them regularly with the Iranian football federation “as they are our girls as well”.

The squad flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur a week ago after being knocked out of the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, initially leaving behind six players and a support worker who had accepted protection visas.

Four players and the staffer have since rejoined the team in Kuala Lumpur, the latest flying in on Monday.

No reasons have been given for the changes of heart. The Iranian diaspora in Australia blames pressure from Tehran.

Mr Windsor said at a news conference earlier his confederation had not received any direct complaints from players about returning home, despite media reports their families in Iran could face retaliation for the team failing to sing their national anthem before the opening match.

The silence during the anthem was variously reported as an act of resistance or a show of mourning. The team didn’t clarify, and it sang at the opening of a later match.

“We couldn’t verify anything. We asked them and they said, ‘No, it’s okay,’” he said.

“They are actually in high spirits … they didn’t look afraid.”

Iranian authorities welcomed the women’s decisions to reject asylum as a victory against Australia and US President Donald Trump.

Iran’s squad had arrived in Australia for the tournament shortly before the war in the Middle East began on February 28, complicating travel arrangements.

Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite described the women’s plight in Australia as a “very complex situation”.

“These are deeply personal decisions, and the government respects the decisions of those that have chosen to return. And we continue to offer support to the two that are remaining,” Mr Thistlethwaite said.

The two players who stayed in Australia have been moved to an undisclosed safe location and are receiving assistance from the government and the Iranian diaspora community, he said.

Concerns about the team’s safety in Iran heightened when the players didn’t sing the Iranian national anthem.

The Australian government was urged to help the women by Iranian groups in Australia and by Trump.

The embassy in Canberra, remains staffed, despite the Australian government expelling the ambassador last year.

With additional reporting from AP.

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