Iranian Women’s Footballer Reverses Australia Asylum Decision, Chooses To Return Home

According to Ireporter Online, one member of Iran’s women’s football delegation has reversed her decision to seek asylum in Australia and chosen to return home, following the escape of two teammates from their minders on Tuesday evening. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the development on Wednesday.

Australian Federal Police had separated 21-year-old striker Mohaddeseh Zolfi and support staffer Zahra Soltan Moshkehkar from the rest of the team, allowing them to claim asylum, one day after Australia granted protection to five other players. However, one of the two later decided to return to Iran after communicating with teammates who had already left the country.

Burke told parliament that authorities moved the remaining asylum seekers to a secure location after the player who changed her mind contacted the Iranian embassy, inadvertently revealing their location. “One of the two who had made the decision to stay last night had spoken to some of the teammates who had left, and had changed her mind. In Australia, people are able to change their mind, people are able to travel. And so, we respect the context in which she has made that decision,” he said, declining to identify the player.

Australian Federal Police had removed Zolfi and Moshkehkar from the rest of the team before they boarded a domestic flight to Sydney. Officials separated the remaining players from their Iranian minders at Sydney airport and explained their asylum options, with all choosing to return to Iran. Burke emphasized that there was no pressure on the players and that their dignity and autonomy were prioritized throughout the process.

The Iranian women’s team, which departed Australia on Tuesday, made a stop in Kuala Lumpur en route to Iran. The Asian Football Confederation confirmed the team’s arrival in the Malaysian capital, noting that they were being accommodated in a hotel and would receive necessary support until onward travel arrangements were finalized. The Iranian embassy in Kuala Lumpur told local media that the players were in good condition and wished to return home.

The controversy surrounding the team began after five players were granted asylum in Australia, following fears of returning to Iran. Iranian state television had labeled the team “wartime traitors” after they declined to sing the national anthem during their Women’s Asian Cup match. The team’s tournament coincided with regional tensions, including airstrikes in Iran reportedly resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In Australia, Iranians demonstrated support for the team, gathering around the players’ bus in Gold Coast and at Sydney airport. Meanwhile, Iran’s general prosecutor’s office reportedly invited the remaining players back to the country “with peace and confidence,” according to Iranian media reports.