Iranian women’s soccer team: Two more accept asylum in Australia after airport move, Tony Burke confirms
Two more members of the Iranian women’s soccer team were granted asylum after the whole group were a major move inside an airport terminal.
Two more members of the Iranian women’s soccer team were granted asylum, the Government has confirmed, after every player and most of their entourage were given the time to make their own choice to return or not before they left Australia late on Tuesday night.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke made the announcement about extra asylum acceptance on Wednesday, but added he was happy that some members of the team, described as “people who are connected to the IRGC”, have now left Australia.
Forward for the Lionesses Mohaddeseh Zolfi and Zahra Soltan Meshkeh Kar, a member of the team’s support staff, joined the five other players in accepting Australia’s offer of protection and a pathway to permanent residency.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke flew to Brisbane on Tuesday for the third time in as many days to again meet with the Iranians, and then on to Sydney.
He said on Wednesday morning that Australian officials had been determined to make sure every member of the group had the opportunity to legitimately make their own decision about their future.
That included facilitating them being able to speak with family members still in Iran where they wanted to do so.
But not everyone was made the offer to stay, with the minister saying there were some who had been involved in coercing or confining the players “who I am glad they’re no longer in Australia”.
“In Sydney, as the full delegation went through customs and immigration … all the players remaining and most of the support people were taken into interview rooms without any minders present, simply themselves and the Department of Home Affairs and an interpreter, and they were given a choice in that situation,” Mr Burke said.
“What we made sure of was there was no rushing, there was no pressure. Everything was about ensuring the dignity for those individuals to make a choice.”
While fears had been raised that some of the “minders” were members of, or had close links, to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is now a listed terrorist organisation in Australia, Mr Burke said all had been examined by security agencies before they arrived in Australia.
“People who are connected to the IRGC were not granted visas,” he said.
“Now that doesn’t mean that that automatically means you are a great person, and there is a reason why some people were not made a direct offer (for asylum). There were some people leaving Australia who I am glad they’re no longer in Australia.”
Ultimately, no others decided to stay after that process but Mr Burke said he was satisfied they had each made a personal choice without any coercion.
One woman did stall getting on the plane leaving Australia, as Home Affairs officials sought to connect her with family in Iran, but she too ultimately decided to depart.
The team was branded “wartime traitors” by Iranian state media after they stayed silent during the national anthem ahead of their first Women’s Asian Cup game more than a week ago, sparking fears for their safety and that of their families.
Five players – captain Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh, and Mona Hamoudi – sought asylum late on Monday night after dramatic scenes at their Gold Coast hotel.
More to come...
