Iranian player discloses protected residence location, teammates evacuated in Australia | OneFootball

Iran women's players who had been granted asylum in Australia were moved from a protected residence after a teammate disclosed its location to the Iranian embassy.

According to L'Équipe, seven members of the squad secured asylum following the Women's Asian Cup. One later reversed her decision and contacted the embassy, and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told Parliament he ordered an immediate relocation after learning she had spoken to teammates who had returned to Iran.

After Iran's game against South Korea on Friday, before which several players refused to sing the national anthem in protest at the Islamic regime, Australia, as tournament host, offered the squad political asylum, as announced by Donald Trump, to avoid a return to Tehran. Back home, state television branded the players wartime traitors and the height of dishonour.

Initially five, then six players, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, together with a staff member, left their hotel and sought to remain in Australia.

The rest of the squad arrived early on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, awaiting onward travel to Iran, which is currently difficult to access because of United States and Israeli bombardments on the country. Prime minister Anthony Albanese praised the players' courage and said they are safe in Australia and should feel at home.

Source: L'Équipe