Iranian Footballers Find Refuge in Australia

Iranian women football players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh have expressed their gratitude to the Australian government for offering them a safe haven. In their first public statement since receiving humanitarian visas, the players stated that the support and compassion shown to them have given them hope for a secure future.

Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh were part of the Iranian squad that competed in the Asian Cup in Australia. The Australian government initially granted humanitarian visas to six players and one support staff member after the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran. However, five of the group later decided to return home, leaving only Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh in Australia.

The duo has begun training with the A-League Women's team Brisbane Roar and is focused on rebuilding their lives. "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 in a statement.

The players' safety concerns arose after several team members did not sing the national anthem at an Asian Cup match, prompting Iranian state TV to label them "wartime traitors". The rest of the team returned to Iran last month via the Turkish border after a difficult journey from Australia.

Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh are now looking to resume their sporting careers in Australia. "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."