Queensland man to front court after colliding with Iranian women’s soccer team bus
Queensland Police confirmed they had charged a 35-year-old ute driver after footage emerged of him colliding with a bus carrying the Iranian women’s soccer team.
A Queensland man has been charged after shocking footage emerged of him allegedly ramming a bus carrying the Iranian women’s soccer team.
The alleged incident took place on March 10 as the women’s team made their way to the Gold Coast Airport following the Asian Women’s Cup.
Vision from the scene shared by Iranian state television shows a gold ute adorned with both an Australian flag as well as an Iranian Sun and Lion flag erratically driving beside the team’s bus.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Sun and Lion flag, also known as the Shir-O-Khorshid, is a historic flag from prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and is frequently flown by anti-regime protesters.
In the footage, the ute sharply turns in front of the bus at a set of traffic lights as women on board were heard screaming in Farsi, before the car allegedly collides with the side of the bus.
Iranian media branded the driver and passenger of the ute as “pro-Pahlavi monarchists” who “terrorised Iranian female footballers in broad daylight”.
Queensland Police have confirmed to The Nightly that the driver has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle and one count of evasion.
“Around 1.15pm, police were escorting the Iranian soccer team bus in convoy when a beige 2024 Volkswagen Amarok dual-cab utility collided with the bus in the vicinity of the intersection of Nerang Broadbeach Road and Ross Street,” a police spokesperson said.
“The driver — a 35-year-old Broadbeach Waters man — and a passenger — a 40-year-old Surfers Paradise man — were arrested by police at the scene and the vehicle was seized.
“No one was injured in the incident.”
The passenger was not charged over the incident.
The bus was placed under convoy after supporters attempted to block the Iranian team’s bus after their Asian Cup match against the Phillipines at Gold Coast Stadium on March 9.
Following the stadium protests, five Iranian team members made a daring escape in order to seek asylum in Australia mere hours before they were to depart for the airport.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke flew to Brisbane that night and offered the women asylum in Australia, with two more Iranians also applying for asylum in the following days.
Since March 10, four of the seven Iranian football team members have changed their mind about Australian protection and have returned to Iran.
The Broadbeach Waters man is scheduled to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court on March 24.
Queensland Police say investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
