Pic – Reuters
Source – Reuters/ The Jerusalem Post
On Tuesday, the Australian interior minister announced that police had rescued five Iranian women soccer players from their hotel before they were granted asylum, revealing details about their escape from Iranian government minders.
The players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, sought refuge after the team was labeled “wartime traitors” for not singing the national anthem prior to an Asian Cup match.
The Asian Cup campaign for the team commenced as the US and Israel initiated air strikes on Iran, with Australian media reporting that Iranian government officials were monitoring the team’s movements.
Interior Minister Tony Burke stated during a press conference that discussions regarding asylum had been taking place for several days, confirming that the women had received asylum in Australia.
The players who were granted asylum include Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi, and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh, all in their early 30s, along with 21-year-old Fatemeh Pasandideh.
