Members of the Iranian women’s national football team are reportedly at risk of severe punishment back home following their recent 2-0 defeat to the Philippines at the Women’s Asian Cup on Sunday, March 8, at the Gold Coast. The loss ended Iran’s campaign in the tournament, which had already been marred by controversy after the players refused to sing the national anthem on Monday.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong affirmed that Australia “stands in solidarity” with the Iranian team, amid growing fears that some players could face jail, execution, or other reprisals if they return to Iran.
Thousands of Australians have called on the Albanese Government to protect the players, warning that they face an “impossible situation” — either return to a country where they could be accused of being traitors or put their families at risk if they remain abroad. A petition on Change.org urged Australia to provide safe and private protection for any player seeking refuge, without interference from regime-affiliated personnel.
“These concerns are immediate and serious. In their opening match, members of the team reportedly remained silent during the Iranian national anthem,” the petition states. “Credible reporting has also raised concerns that regime-connected personnel are embedded with the delegation, that players are not allowed to move freely, and that their communications are restricted.”
Foreign Minister Wong described the players’ situation as moving and highlighted the solidarity shown by the Australian team, the Matildas, who exchanged jerseys with the Iranian women. She said, “We know this regime has brutally murdered many of its own people. We know this regime has brutally oppressed many Iranian women and we stand in solidarity with the men and women of Iran, particularly Iranian women and girls.”
The risks faced by Iranian athletes have already been tragically illustrated. Zahra Azadpour, 27, a national player, was killed by regime forces in January while protesting in Karaj. Another, 23-year-old referee Sabha Rashtian, was shot dead during protests in Isfahan.
Iran International TV sports journalist Raha Pourbakhsh told The Sports Ambassador podcast that the players were under extreme duress while in Australia. “They have threatened them with their careers being ended and also jail time,” she said. “Their phones have been tapped, they forced the players into signing hefty bail agreements assuring the authorities they would not become refugees in Australia, they will not apply for asylum. They have also been told that they must sing along to the national anthem and also to show joy and happiness if they score a goal to show that everything is normal.”
Sources close to the team have reported that seeking asylum is not an option for most players, as their families remain under threat in Iran.
The situation has sparked calls for urgent international attention to ensure the safety and protection of the Iranian women athletes during and after the tournament.