Seven Iranian Women's Team Players Remain in Australia After Asylum Drama
Image Source: Internet
The Iranian women's football team left Australia without seven squad members after tearful protests of their departure outside Sydney Airport and frantic final efforts inside the terminal by Australian officials.
Each woman was taken aside to meet alone with officials who explained through interpreters that they could choose not to return to Iran.
Seven women had accepted humanitarian visas allowing them to remain permanently in Australia and were ushered to a safe location by Australian police officers.
However, one has since changed her mind, underscoring the tense and precarious nature of their decisions.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said, 'In Australia, people are able to change their mind.'
The rest of the team declined offers of asylum and boarded their flight.
The episode has gripped Australia since the Iranian team's first game at the Asian Cup football tournament, when they remained silent during their national anthem.
The players sang the anthem before subsequent games and haven't publicly disclosed their views or explained their actions.
Their silence was cast as a gesture of defiance or protest by some, and an act of mourning by others.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Australian government for not offering the women asylum.
Australian officials have sought to assure the public that the women were given every opportunity to stay.
The six women planning to remain in Australia were immediately moved to a different location for security reasons.
