US President Donald Trump said on Monday (9) that Australia was “committing a terrible humanitarian error” by allowing Iran’s women’s football team to be sent home and called on the Australian prime minister to grant the players asylum.
The Iranians’ campaign in the Asian Cup, hosted in Australia, began just when the United States and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, killing the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei. The team was eliminated on Sunday (8) after losing 2-0 to the Philippines.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian error by allowing the Iranian women’s national soccer team to be forced back into Iran, where they will likely be killed,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The United States will take them in if you don’t.”
Australia’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s remarks.
Australian broadcaster SBS News reported that five players from Iran’s women’s national football team have “freed themselves” and are now under the protection of the Australian Federal Police, seeking government assistance. The broadcaster said government sources confirmed the information and added that Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke traveled to Brisbane to meet with the players.
Global players’ union FIFPRO said on Monday there were serious concerns for the welfare of the team as they prepared to return home after being labeled “wartime traitors” for refusing to sing the national anthem before a match.
The players’ decision to remain silent during Iran’s national anthem before the first match against South Korea was considered by a commentator on Iran’s state broadcaster to be the “apex of dishonor”.
The team then sang the anthem and saluted before the second match against Australia, sparking fears among human rights campaigners that the women had been coerced by government agents.
Asked about the possibility of Australia granting asylum to the players, Matt Thistlethwaite, assistant minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the government could not “address individual circumstances for privacy reasons”.
