Concerns for Iran's Women's Football Team Safety Post-Asian Cup
Football's governing bodies and Australian authorities are being urged to guarantee the safety of Iran's women's national football team as they prepare to return home following their elimination from the Asian Cup in Australia.
On Sunday evening, hundreds of supporters gathered around the Iranian Lionesses' coach as it departed the stadium on the Gold Coast, chanting "save our girls" in a show of solidarity.
Concerns for the team intensified after they declined to sing the Iranian national anthem before their opening match against South Korea last week. This act sparked criticism within Iran, including accusations from a conservative commentator labeling the players as "wartime traitors" and calling for severe punishment.
"We all have very reasonable and serious concerns for their safety," said Craig Foster, former captain of the Australian men's football team and a prominent human rights advocate.
He told the BBC: "When any team participates in a Fifa-regulated tournament, whether Asian Football Confederation or any other confederation, they must have the right to safety and external support to express any concerns they have around their safety now or in future."
During their second match against Australia and again in their final game against the Philippines on Sunday, the Iranian team sang and saluted during the national anthem. This led critics to speculate that members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who accompanied the team as part of the delegation, compelled them to participate in the anthem.
Deniz Toupchi, who traveled to support the team for their final match, commented on the initial decision to remain silent during the anthem:
"We didn't expect it to be honest because we know it's a really major [thing] to do."
She added: "We're just proud of them."
Toupchi was among hundreds of members of Australia's Iranian community present in the stands on Sunday. During the anthem, which they do not recognize, they booed and jeered.
Midway through the first half, many supporters displayed the Lion and Sun flag, which was the official state flag before the Islamic revolution in Iran. These flags were smuggled into the stadium despite signs prohibiting any flags other than Iran's current official flag.
Although the fans showed enthusiastic support for the players, interaction between them and the team during the match was minimal.
One notable exception occurred when a player receiving medical attention on the sidelines blew a kiss to the stands, eliciting a large cheer.
While the Filipina team lined up to thank their fans after the match, the Iranian players promptly left the pitch.
"They can't speak freely because they are threatened," said Naz Safavi, who attended all three matches played by the team. "We are here to show them that we are fully supporting them."
Calls for Asylum Support Amid Safety Concerns
With growing concern about the players' treatment upon returning to Iran, there is a movement advocating for the women to be supported in seeking asylum in Australia if they choose.
It remains unclear whether any player would want to pursue asylum or what consequences their families might face if they did.
"They've been held hostage by the Iranian team management in their hotel and they've been denied the opportunity to speak to external community members, friends, family or any support networks, be that lawyers or anyone else," said Foster, who played a key role in assisting the Afghanistan women's team to flee the Taliban in 2021.
"Some may have concerns, others may not - but what we know is most of them have families back home, some of them have children back home, and even if offered the right to remain in Australia, if they feel unsafe, many of them may not accept that opportunity," he said.
"What's most important is that that offer is made."
At the post-match news conference on Sunday, the team's manager Marziyeh Jafari stated:
"We are impatiently waiting to return. Personally, I would like to return to my country as soon as possible and be with my compatriots and family."
The Australian government has so far avoided becoming directly involved in the discussion.
"We stand in solidarity with the men and women of Iran, and particularly Iranian women and girls," Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong told ABC on Sunday ahead of the match.
"Obviously this is a regime that has brutally cracked down on its people."
Supporters Rally as Team Departs Stadium
As the players' bus left the stadium on Sunday night, banners read "Stay Safe in Australia. Talk to Police" and "If your home is not safe - mine is." Some supporters went further by evading police and attempting to slow the vehicle's progress through narrow roads around the stadium.
The players sat inside the bus, observing the scene unfold in the rain outside. Some were seen filming through the windows with phones. There were smiles and waves, but also solemn expressions. At least one passenger was seen closing the curtains on the bus window.
Eventually, the bus reached the main road and headed toward the team hotel, approximately a 15-minute drive away, leaving several supporters wailing and sobbing behind.
On Monday, tight security was observed at the five-star resort where the team was staying, with federal police stationed outside reception. The team was not visible, although some members of the Iranian delegation were seen in the hotel's communal areas.
It remains unclear when the team will check out and relocate—whether to different accommodation, back to Iran, or to a third country.
"The Australian government should play a [role of] moral leadership here," said Zaki Haidari, Refugee Rights Advocate at Amnesty International Australia.
"It's a very critical time as well as we celebrate International Women's Day, talk about their freedom, equality, gender persecution, gender equality."
This sentiment was echoed by fans present at the stadium on Sunday night.
"We are encouraging them, hoping they will stay here but at the same time we know their families' lives are in danger," said Melika Jahanian.
"Whatever decision they make it's going to be a terrible one so they need to be supported by the Australian government."
