Iranian women footballers leave Australia after asylum requests
Three members of Iran’s women’s football squad have left Australia after previously seeking protection in the country.
Home affairs minister Tony Burke confirmed the latest development on Sunday, saying the players had decided to return to Iran.
The decision means only three of the seven squad members remain in Australia on protection visas.
What happened
Members of the Iranian women’s football team had earlier sought asylum in Australia amid concerns about safety and political pressures in Iran.
The situation quickly became a sensitive diplomatic and immigration issue.
Australian authorities granted special protection visas to several members of the squad while their circumstances were assessed.
Three players choose to return home
According to government officials, three of the players have now chosen to return to Iran.
It is not clear what factors influenced their decision.
The remaining players continue to stay in Australia under protection arrangements granted by the government.
Treasurer praises officials handling the case
Treasurer Jim Chalmers praised immigration officials who helped manage the situation.
Speaking on Sky News, he said staff from the Department of Home Affairs had been working in extremely difficult circumstances.
“They are absolutely top shelf, and they’ve been working around the clock on these issues,” Chalmers said.
He added that officials had taken “dramatic and unusual steps” to support the Iranian athletes during the process.
A sensitive international situation
The case has drawn significant attention because of the political and human rights pressures faced by women in Iran.
Requests for asylum from athletes and cultural figures have occurred in several countries in recent years.
The Australian government has not confirmed whether the remaining players intend to stay permanently or return to Iran later.
What happens next
For now, three members of the team remain in Australia on protection visas.
Officials are continuing to manage the situation while the broader diplomatic and humanitarian issues surrounding the case unfold.