Five members of Iran’s women’s national football team have returned to the country after withdrawing their asylum applications in Australia, according to foreign media reports.
The players re-entered Iran via Turkey, following a multi-leg journey that included transit through Malaysia and Oman.
Images circulating online showed the athletes crossing the border dressed in team tracksuits alongside other members of the squad.
The group had initially sought to remain in Australia on humanitarian grounds during their participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Reports suggest the players feared potential repercussions back home after they remained silent during the national anthem in the tournament’s opening match, an act widely interpreted as a form of protest.
Iranian diaspora activists have identified three of the players as Zahra Soltani-Mashkar, Mona Hamoudi, and Zahra Sarbali. Iranian state media reported that team captain Zahra Ghanbari was also among those who returned. The identity of the fifth player has not yet been publicly confirmed.
While five players chose to withdraw their asylum requests and return, two teammates were granted asylum in Australia and remain there.
The situation has drawn international attention, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding athlete expression and political sensitivities in Iran.
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