Two more connected to Iranian football team stay in Australia, BBC understands

"Two more people connected to the Iranian women's football team have remained in Australia and did not board a flight out of the country, the BBC understands. It is believed one is a player and the other member of the team's technical staff. There has been no official confirmation from Australia's Home Affairs or Federal Police."

"It is not known what repercussions the team and their families might face in Iran after the players refused to sing the national anthem. One conservative commentator on Iranian state media accused them of being "wartime traitors" and called for a harsh punishment."

"Burke, quoted by the ABC, said Border Force officials had made "multiple representations to the team" before they left Sydney, "including private meetings". Local media reported that at least one person refused to board their later flight to Malaysia on their way back to Iran."

Two members of Iran's women's football team, believed to be a player and technical staff member, remained in Australia and did not board their return flight after the team's Asian Cup elimination. The remaining Iranian players departed Tuesday night, two days after their knockout. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed additional team members sought asylum. Border Force officials made multiple representations to the team before departure, including private meetings. The situation stems from the team's refusal to sing the national anthem in earlier matches, prompting accusations from Iranian state media commentators of being "wartime traitors" and calls for harsh punishment. Australia's humanitarian visa programme offers permanent protection to refugees and people in humanitarian need.

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