MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – A fifth member of the Iranian women’s soccer team, who had previously accepted a refugee visa to remain in Australia, departed the country late Sunday, according to the Australian government.
This departure leaves only two of the original seven squad members still in Australia, as reported by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s office.
Team’s Departure and Iranian Response
The Iranian authorities have celebrated the players’ decision to return as a victory against Australia and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Members of the Iranian diaspora in Australia attribute this change to pressure from Tehran.
Burke disclosed that two players and a support staff member had flown from Sydney to Malaysia on Saturday, shortly before the latest departure.
Background of the Team’s Visit
The Iranian women’s soccer team arrived in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup last month, just prior to the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East on February 28.
Initially, six players and a support staff member from a squad of 26 accepted humanitarian visas to stay in Australia, while the remaining Iranian contingent left for Kuala Lumpur on March 10.
Another player later reversed her decision and also departed Australia, leaving the remaining team members in Kuala Lumpur.
Government Support and Complex Situations
Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite characterized the situation of the women in Australia as “very complex.” He emphasized the government’s respect for the personal decisions made by those who opted to return home.
Thistlethwaite stated, “We’ve been working very, very closely with them. These are deeply personal decisions, and we continue to offer support to the two that are remaining.” He assured that they are receiving full support from the Australian government and the local diaspora community.
Concerns Over Players’ Safety
Concerns regarding the safety of the players in Iran intensified after they refrained from singing the national anthem before their first match.
Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that the three players who left Australia were “returning to the warm embrace of their family and homeland.”
Community Reactions and Accusations
The Australian government faced calls for assistance from Iranian groups in Australia, along with pressure from Trump.
Some members of the Iranian diaspora accused the support staffer, who initially accepted asylum but left Australia, of disseminating Iranian government propaganda to teammates via text messages.
Thistlethwaite refuted these claims, stating there was no evidence to support the theory that the staffer influenced others to leave. He affirmed that those remaining in Australia are “genuine asylum seekers.”
Diplomatic Context and Future Implications
The Iranian embassy in Canberra remains operational, despite the Australian government expelling its ambassador last year. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese severed diplomatic relations with Iran in August following intelligence reports of the Revolutionary Guard’s involvement in arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.
Kambiz Razmara, vice-president of the Australian-Iranian Society of Victoria, noted the pressures faced by the players, stating, “They’ve had to make decisions at the spur of the moment with very little information.”