Australian government urged to protect Iran football players after national anthem backflip

"Refugee Council chief executive Paul Power said: certainly on the evidence that's available, it would appear that the members of the women's soccer team are at risk if they're returned, noting that people in Iran involved in quite simple acts of peaceful protests have suffered dire consequences."

"The lives of the Iranian Women's National Football Team are in imminent danger. After their peaceful protest in Australia, Iranian state-linked media has officially labeled them wartime traitors. In Iran, treason is a capital offense punishable by death. These athletes face arbitrary detention and execution if forced to return."

"Footage shared on social media platform X on Friday showed Iran state television presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi accusing the team of dishonour for not singing the national anthem before their first match against South Korea on Monday."

Iran's women's national soccer team competing in the Women's Asian Cup in Australia faces serious safety concerns upon returning home. State-aligned Iranian media labeled the players wartime traitors after they refused to sing the national anthem before their match against South Korea. The team subsequently sang the anthem before their match against Australia, but the initial protest has drawn condemnation from Iranian state television. Refugee advocates and international journalists have urged the Australian government to allow the players to remain in the country, citing evidence that they face potential detention, torture, or execution if forced to return to Iran, where treason is a capital offense.

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