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It\u2019s been a whirlwind of a week for members of the Iranian Women\u2019s soccer team. Many players sought asylum instead of returning to Iran. Now the same women are withdrawing their asylum bids as concerns for their families\u2019 safety under the despotic regime mount.<\/p>\n
The latest to make this move is the captain of the soccer team, Zahra Ghanbari, who is \u201creturning to the embrace of the homeland\u201d Monday after withdrawing her asylum bid Sunday, Iran\u2019s IRNA news agency reported.<\/p>\n
Per the New York Post<\/a>, the players fear their families are in danger if they don\u2019t return home.<\/p>\n \u201cSeveral of the players decided to go back because the threats against their families became unbearable and the intimidation was relentless,\u201d Shiva Amini, an exiled Iranian former soccer player, wrote on X<\/a> on Sunday. \u201cThey have even targeted the family of Zahra Ghanbari. Despite the fact that she has just lost her father, authorities are putting pressure on her mother. This shows the level of cruelty and desperation they are willing to use to force these athletes to comply.\u201d<\/p>\n Seven players made headlines last week for seeking asylum in Australia after being eliminated from the Women\u2019s Asian Cup, where members of Iran\u2019s team refused to sing the Iranian National Anthem. Now the only two players who intend to remain in Australia are Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh.<\/p>\n \u201cThe guilt, the pressure, the impossible choice between your freedom and your family,\u201d Amini wrote on X. \u201cSometimes the psychological pressure is so strong that it feels like there is no real choice. Whether you stay or whether you go back, in both cases you are still suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n The Iranian women had decided not to partake in their country\u2019s anthem earlier this month<\/a> after the United States and Israel launched their air strikes on Iran, killing the Islamic Republic\u2019s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The women were called \u201ctraitors,\u201d and their well-being was put in jeopardy.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump revealed<\/a> last week that he had spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on behalf of the Iranian women\u2019s soccer team, detailing the delicate situation for the young women. The Australian government immediately took action to protect them.<\/p>\n \u201cThe players were \u2018given repeated chances to talk about their options\u2019 but ultimately faced \u2018incredibly difficult decisions,’\u201d Australia Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement Saturday.<\/p>\n An Australian councillor for the city of Ryde, Tina Kordrostami, alleged the players were being heavily intimidated by Tehran, claiming their families were being used as leverage to get them back to Iran.<\/p>\n \u201cI know families have even been detained. I know family members are missing,\u201d Kordrostami told Fox News. \u201cWe are very worried about them. We know for a fact that they will not be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n The two players who chose to stay in Australia are receiving assistance from the government and the Iranian diaspora community, per a report by PBS<\/a>.<\/p>\n On Monday, the soccer players who remain in Australia were invited to train with local club Brisbane Roar FC.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, Brisbane Roar officially welcomed both Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh to the club\u2019s training facilities to take part in training with our A-League Women squad and remain committed to providing a supportive environment for them whilst they navigate the next stages,\u201d Brisbane Roar FC CEO, Kaz Patafta, said.<\/p>\n The club\u2019s CEO said the team will not be providing any further comment on the two Iranian women at this time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n