Iranian Footballers Thank Australia for Asylum Visas

Two Iranian women's football players who sought asylum in Australia after their team's Women's Asian Cup campaign have expressed gratitude to the government for providing them safety and outlined their hopes to resume elite sporting careers while rebuilding their lives.

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh issued a joint statement on Friday, marking their first public comments since receiving humanitarian visas. The players, who remained in Australia after most of their squad returned home, emphasized their focus on personal recovery amid ongoing safety concerns. "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. "The compassion and support shown to us during this challenging time has provided us with hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety."

The situation arose during the Women's Asian Cup hosted in Australia in March, when several Iranian players, including Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh, drew criticism in Iran for not singing the national anthem before their opening match. Iranian state...