Iran women footballers plan to continue careers in 'safe haven' Australia

Two members of the Iran squad remained in Australia after being granted asylum Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Share articleTwo members of the Iran women’s football team say they are aiming to continue their sporting careers in Australia and thanked the country for providing a “safe haven” after being granted asylum. Seven members of Iran’s Asian Cup travelling party had decided to claim humanitarian asylum in Australia after the team exited the competition in March. However, five changed their minds and returned to Iran, while Fatemeh Pasandideh ​and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh remained in Australia. Speaking for the first time since being granted humanitarian visas, Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh released a joint statement which thanked the Australian government and asked for privacy as they rebuild their lives. “We wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Australian government, and particularly Home Affairs minister ⁠Tony Burke, for granting us humanitarian protection and a ​safe ⁠haven in this beautiful country,” ‌they said, in a statement carried by the Australian Associated Press. “At this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives. “We are elite athletes, and it remains ‌our dream to continue our sporting careers here ​in Australia.” Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh trained with Brisbane Roar in March, with the A-League side saying they were “committed to providing a supportive environment for them whilst they navigate the next stages”. A post shared by Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroarfc) Iran’s women’s team arrived in Australia for the Asian Cup before the United States and Israeli military strikes on the country on February 28, and the subsequent retaliation and escalation in conflict across the Middle East. The Athletic reported that while in Australia for the tournament, players in the squad had been chaperoned by officials with links to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), ordered to leave large financial guarantees in Iran, banned from leaving the team hotel, and seen their mobile phones tapped. The team did not sing the national anthem before their opening game against South Korea on March 2 and were labelled “wartime traitors” on state television, with presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi saying the team should be dealt with “severely”. They sung the anthem and performed a military salute before their final two group stage fixtures. After their final game against the Philippines, six players and one member of support staff escaped the team hotel and decided to claim humanitarian asylum. The Athletic reported that the players who chose to claim asylum subsequently came under intense pressure from the Iranian government, including having family members detained. Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh were ultimately the only two who remained in Australia. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Ali Rampling is a Deputy Managing Editor at The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, she worked as the Women's Football Editor at 90min. Ali attended Loughborough University, and originates from Ipswich. Follow Ali on Twitter @AliRampling