Additional Iranian Football Team Members Granted Humanitarian Visas in Australia
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed that a total of seven members of the Iranian women’s football team have now been granted humanitarian visas in Australia.
Burke revealed at a press conference on Wednesday morning that two more women, comprising one player and one support member, sought asylum before the remainder of the Iranian team departed Sydney on a flight to Malaysia on Tuesday night. Both individuals were offered humanitarian visas, which they accepted, with the visas processed overnight.
He explained that the two women had been separated from their minders and the rest of the group, meeting with federal police at a location associated with Brisbane Airport prior to his meeting with them.
“I made them the same offer that I had made the five players the night before, and that was that if they wanted to receive a humanitarian visa for Australia, which would have a pathway to a permanent visa.
“I had the paperwork ready to execute that immediately. They both said that they did. I signed off on that.”
These two individuals join five teammates who had been granted visas earlier on Tuesday morning.
Remaining Team Members Depart for Malaysia
The rest of the travelling squad arrived in Malaysia early Wednesday morning after departing Sydney. Photographs from Agence France-Presse at Kuala Lumpur International Airport confirmed their arrival.
On Tuesday, both Burke and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encouraged additional team members to seek asylum in Australia if they wished. Burke stated that
“the same opportunity is there”for other players, while Albanese affirmed
“we’re willing to provide assistance to other women in the team”.
Sources informed Australia on Wednesday morning that no further asylum requests were made when the remainder of the squad departed.
Team’s Arrival and Context
The team had arrived in Sydney just after 8pm local time on Tuesday, following their final tournament game on the Gold Coast on Sunday, which resulted in a 2-0 loss to the Philippines.
Following the granting of asylum to the initial five players, supporters gathered at the airport hoping more players or staff would seek to remain in Australia. This speculation intensified after the team became embroiled in controversy for refusing to sing the national anthem at their opening game ten days prior, which led to threats of reprisals against so-called “traitors” amid the US-Israeli attacks on their country.
The team exited the plane from the rear and were escorted onto a bus surrounded by airport staff and Australian federal police. They subsequently departed Australia on a flight from Sydney Airport.
