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In Brief
- Two Iranian footballers who sought asylum in Australia have thanked the government for providing a “safe haven”.
- The pair said they were keen to continue playing but would not be speaking publicly anytime soon.
Two Iranian female footballers who have sought refuge in Australia are expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support they’ve received as they begin to rebuild their lives.
Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh have voiced their appreciation after being offered the chance to stay in Australia, following a tumultuous Women’s Asian Cup tournament for Iran.
“The compassion and support we’ve experienced during this difficult period have given us hope for a future where we can live and compete safely,” they shared in a joint statement on Friday.
The pair were part of a group of seven from the Iranian squad—comprising six players and one member of the support staff—who became the center of diplomatic tensions after being granted humanitarian visas in Australia post their Asian Cup participation in March.
Concerns for the team’s safety surged after they were branded as “wartime traitors” by Iran’s state media for their refusal to sing the national anthem at the start of their Asian Cup match.
Five squad members later withdrew their asylum claims and returned to Iran.
Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for providing a “safe haven in this beautiful country”, singling out Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke for granting humanitarian protection.
They also saluted Home Affairs staff support, saying they had been overwhelmed by the generosity of Australia’s Iranian community as they entered the next chapter of their lives.
“Your support has made us feel welcome and less alone as we navigate this transition,” they said.
“At this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives.”
A-League Women’s club Brisbane Roar has provided Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh access to their training facilities, saying it was committed to providing a supportive environment.
The duo said they were keen to continue playing but would not be speaking publicly anytime soon.
“We are elite athletes, and it remains our dream to continue our sporting careers here in Australia,” they said.
“However, we are not yet ready to speak publicly about our experiences. We respectfully ask the media for privacy and space at this time.
“We will not be making any further comments or conducting interviews in the immediate future.”
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