Women’s football team to be welcomed home with open arms - Iran says after 5 players applied for asylum in Australia

Iran says members of its womens national football team will be welcomed home with open arms following their participation in the Asian Cup tournament in Australia. A spokesperson for Irans Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, urged the players to return, saying the country was ready to receive them peacefully. His comments came shortly after five members of the squad applied for asylum in Australia after the teams exit from the competition. To Irans womens football team: dont worry, Iran awaits you with open arms, Baghaei said in a message posted online. The office of Irans general prosecutor also said the remaining players were invited to return home with peace and confidence, while authorities promised to address concerns raised by their families. Members of the Iranian community in Australia block the path of a departing bus transporting Irans squad to the airport on the Gold Coast [Patrick Hamilton/AFP]Iran's Women's football team  Australias government confirmed it had granted humanitarian visas to five players following concerns about their safety if they returned home. The players include team captain Zahra Ghanbari, midfielders Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi, and defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh. Australias Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the players were told they could remain in the country safely. They are welcome to stay in Australia, they are safe here, and they should feel at home here, Burke said, adding that the same offer had been extended to other members of the team. Concerns about the players safety grew after they stood silently during Irans national anthem before their opening match against South Korea on March 3. The gesture sparked criticism in Iranian media and raised fears that the athletes could face punishment upon returning home.The players later sang the anthem during their remaining two matches.Following the asylum decision, Australian authorities moved the five athletes to an undisclosed location under police protection. The situation also drew international attention after Donald Trump said he had spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the issue, describing it as a delicate situation.Iranian officials criticized Trumps remarks and rejected claims that the United States was trying to save the players. The post Womens football team to be welcomed home with open arms - Iran says after 5 playersapplied for asylum in Australia appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.