Two Iranian footballers granted asylum in Australia express hope for safe future

Two Iranian footballers, Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh, who were granted asylum in Australia, have expressed gratitude and hope for a future where they can live and compete safely.

They were among seven members of the Iranian team who received humanitarian visas while in Australia for the Women's Asian Cup.

The other five members later returned to Iran.

The asylum was granted amid concerns over potential repercussions in Iran after the players declined to sing the national anthem at their opening match, shortly after the outbreak of war involving Iran.

Following the incident, the players were relocated to Brisbane and placed under the protection of the Australian Federal Police.

In their first public statement, Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh thanked supporters and the Australian government for providing them with safety and assistance.

They also acknowledged the support from the Iranian diaspora community in Australia, which helped them feel welcomed during this transition.

The players have been training with the Brisbane Roar, an A-League Women's team, and expressed their intention to continue their elite sporting careers in Australia.

The situation unfolded against the backdrop of the war that began on 28 February with joint air strikes by Israel and the US.

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