Iranian Footballers Seek Asylum in Australia After Asian Cup
Sydney – A group of seven members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team has requested asylum in Australia, according to Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. The asylum application came after her participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Initially, five players sought protection, to which an additional footballer and a member of the coaching staff were later added. The latter accepted the offer of humanitarian visas offered by the Australian government. Minister Burke explained that both were separated from the rest of the delegation with police assistance and taken to a safe place before reuniting with the other five players who had already requested protection.Meanwhile, the rest of the team left Australia for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The final destination of the delegation after this stop has not been specified.“The seven people who accepted the offer now have humanitarian visas and will soon begin the process of obtaining permanent residency,” the minister indicated.
Tony Burke, Australian Minister of the Interior
Individual Decision and Without Pressure
The Australian government has emphasized that each member of the delegation was interviewed individually by officials from the Department of Home Affairs, with interpreters and without the presence of coaches or team representatives. The aim was to ensure that each person could make a decision freely.The minister clarified that no other player or group member requested protection. Additionally, Burke referred to a report about a player who apparently initially refused to board the flight. He explained that the soccer player delayed her decision while speaking with family members abroad before finally boarding the plane.“The goal was for each person to have the opportunity to decide for themselves with dignity”, Burke pointed out.
Tony Burke, Australian Minister for Home Affairs
