Iran women players thank Australian government for protection

Iranian women’s soccer players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for offering a “safe ​haven” and said they wished to resume their sporting careers ‌after rebuilding their lives.

In their first public comments since being granted humanitarian visas, the players said in a statement that the compassion and support shown ​to them had provided them hope for a future ​where they could live and compete in safety.

“We wish ⁠to express our deepest gratitude to the Australian government, and ​particularly Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, for granting us humanitarian protection ​and a safe haven in this beautiful country,” they said.

Australia initially granted humanitarian visas to six players and one support staff member from the Iranian squad ​after their Asian Cup campaign in Australia began just as ​the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran.

Five of the group subsequently ‌changed ⁠their minds and decided to return home, leaving only Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh in Australia.

The duo began training with the A-League Women’s team Brisbane Roar last month.

“At this stage, our primary focus is on ​our safety, our ​health and beginning ⁠the process of rebuilding our lives,” they said.

“We are elite athletes, and it remains our dream ​to continue our sporting careers here in Australia.”

Concerns ​over ⁠the Iranian players’ safety surfaced after several players did not sing the national anthem at an Asian Cup match, with Iranian state ⁠TV labelling ​them “wartime traitors”.

The rest of the team ​arrived home in Iran last month via the Turkish border after a fraught return journey ​from Australia.

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H