"Our understanding is that the players are currently staying in a hotel under heavy monitoring. Their communications appear to be restricted, which has made it very difficult for human rights organizations, human rights lawyers and the media to make contact with them."
"The worries come after the players faced criticism for failing to sing the national anthem in their opening match against South Korea last week. They went on to sing the anthem and salute in their last two group-stage games. Most observers put the change down to pressure on the players from the Iranian regime."
"The scenes of public support on Sunday are indicative of hopes in Australia and beyond that the players, coaches and support staff may be able to stay in the country rather than returning to Iran. But with the players unable to speak publicly, it's unclear what they, individually or collectively, want."
Following Iran's Asian Cup elimination in Australia, the team bus was surrounded by hundreds of protesters chanting "save our girls." Five players reportedly escaped from their hotel on Monday, where they were under heavy monitoring with restricted communications. Human rights organizations and player unions expressed serious concern about their inability to contact the players. The situation stems from earlier criticism when players refused to sing the national anthem in their opening match, later complying under apparent regime pressure. While public support in Australia suggests hopes the players might seek asylum, their true intentions remain unclear due to communication restrictions. Team management stated intentions to return to Iran, though human rights groups question whether such statements reflect genuine wishes or coercion.
Read at www.dw.com
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