Three members of Iran’s women’s national football team who had sought asylum in Australia have decided to return to Iran, the Australian government said on Sunday.
Australia granted humanitarian visas to seven Iranian players last week after they sought protection, saying they feared persecution if they returned home following their refusal to sing the national anthem at a Women’s Asian Cup match.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said four of the seven players had so far decided to leave Australia, while another player had earlier changed her mind.
Burke said the players were given multiple opportunities to reconsider their options after informing Australian officials of their decision.
“While the Australian Government can ensure that opportunities are provided and communicated, we cannot remove the context in which the players are making these incredibly difficult decisions,” he said in a statement.
The players had initially sought asylum citing concerns over possible repercussions in Iran after the anthem protest during the tournament. (Newswire)
