Iran women footballers evacuate from safe house in AustraliaThe members of Iran's women's football team who did not claim asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11, 2026SYDNEY - Iranian women footballers claiming asylum in Australia evacuated from their safe house on Wednesday after one team member changed her mind and revealed their location to the Iranian embassy, Canberra said. Seven members of Iran's visiting women's football delegation had sought sanctuary in Australia after they were branded "traitors" at home for refusing to sing the national anthem. The woman exposed the location of the other aslyum seekers when she contacted Iran's embassy in Australia. Two more team members -- a player and a support staffer -- were granted asylum before the team flew out of Sydney on Tuesday evening. "The members of the Iranian Women's National Football Team are under significant pressure and ongoing threat from the Islamic Republic," said Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late shah of Iran.

Source: Bangkok Post March 11, 2026 15:36 UTC