KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The Iranian women’s soccer team was set to leave Malaysia on Monday night after a period of uncertainty. This followed a diplomatic incident involving most of the seven national team members who initially sought asylum in Australia but later reversed their decision and returned to the team in Kuala Lumpur.
Windsor John, the General Secretary of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), confirmed the team’s departure was organized by the Iranian embassy. While he mentioned they planned to head to Oman, he admitted he wasn’t fully aware of their complete travel itinerary.
When asked about the women’s safe return to Iran, Windsor said: “AFC and FIFA, along with the Iranian Football Federation, will be in regular contact to ensure their wellbeing, as these are our girls.”
Asylum applications and change of mind
The squad flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on March 10 after being knocked out of the Women’s Asian Cup, initially leaving behind six players and one support staff member who had accepted a protection visa.
Four players have since rejoined the team, with the last flight arriving on Monday. The reasons for their change of heart weren’t disclosed, although reports suggest it might be linked to pressures from the Iranian government as claimed by the Iranian community in Australia.
Windsor stated during a press conference that they had not received direct complaints from the athletes about returning, even though there were media reports indicating some families in Iran could face repercussions due to the team’s choice not to sing the national anthem at their opening match.
This silence during the anthem was interpreted variously as a form of protest or mourning, and even though the team later performed it, they didn’t provide clarity on their initial choice.
2 players remain in Australia
Iranian officials have characterized the women’s decision to reject asylum as a win over Australia and US President Donald Trump.
The team arrived in Australia just before the onset of the Middle East conflict on February 28, which complicated their travel plans.
Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Secretary for Immigration, described the situation for women in Australia as “very complex.” He stated, “These are personal choices, and we respect those who decide to return, while continuing to support the two who remain.”
The remaining players in Australia are being relocated to undisclosed safe locations and are receiving help from the government as well as the Iranian community there.
“Propaganda War”
Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a political scientist from Macquarie University who spent over two years in an Iranian prison for alleged spying, commented that the ongoing “propaganda war” has overshadowed concerns regarding women’s welfare.
She noted that given the high stakes, the Iranian regime was particularly responsive, trying to manage the narrative involving athletes.
If such a situation were kept private, Moore-Gilbert suggested, Iranian officials might have chosen to disregard the asylum request as they had with other defecting athletes in the past.
The Tasnim news agency in Iran remarked that players returning were “going back to the warm embrace of their families,” labeling their return as a failure of what it termed a political maneuver by the US and Australia.
The team’s choice not to sing the national anthem spurred worries regarding their safety in Iran.
Iranian organizations in Australia, along with President Trump, had urged the Australian government to assist the women.
Despite prior diplomatic tensions leading to the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador, the embassy in Canberra still has staff present.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese severed ties with Iran in August after intelligence indicated directives from Revolutionary Guards were behind attacks on Jewish sites in Sydney and Melbourne in 2024.
Kambiz Razmala, vice president of the Australian Iranian Association Victoria, expressed concern, stating the players who accepted asylum were under considerable pressure from the Iranian regime.
“They had very little information, and had to react swiftly; it’s surprising they decided to leave, yet understandable given the circumstances they faced,” Razmala noted.
