In Brief
- Two Iranian footballers who sought asylum in Australia have thanked the government for providing a “safe haven”.
- The pair said they were keen to continue playing but would not be speaking publicly anytime soon.
Two female Iranian footballers, Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh, who have sought asylum in Australia, are expressing heartfelt gratitude for the support they’ve received as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.
The pair, who secured a chance to stay in Australia after Iran’s contentious Women’s Asian Cup campaign, shared a statement on Friday conveying their appreciation. “The compassion and support shown to us during this challenging time has provided us with hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety,” they remarked.
Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh were part of a group of seven from the Iranian squad—comprising six players and one support staff member—that ignited a diplomatic storm when they were granted humanitarian visas in Australia following the Asian Cup in March.
Concerns loomed over the safety of the team upon their potential return to Iran after they were branded as “wartime traitors” by Iranian state media. The controversy arose when they refused to sing the national anthem before their initial match in the Asian Cup.
In a related development, five members of the squad later decided to withdraw their asylum claims and returned to Iran, further highlighting the complex situation surrounding the team and their choices.
Five squad members later withdrew their asylum claims and returned to Iran.
Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for providing a “safe haven in this beautiful country”, singling out Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke for granting humanitarian protection.
They also saluted Home Affairs staff support, saying they had been overwhelmed by the generosity of Australia’s Iranian community as they entered the next chapter of their lives.
“Your support has made us feel welcome and less alone as we navigate this transition,” they said.
“At this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives.”
A-League Women’s club Brisbane Roar has provided Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh access to their training facilities, saying it was committed to providing a supportive environment.
The duo said they were keen to continue playing but would not be speaking publicly anytime soon.
“We are elite athletes, and it remains our dream to continue our sporting careers here in Australia,” they said.
“However, we are not yet ready to speak publicly about our experiences. We respectfully ask the media for privacy and space at this time.
“We will not be making any further comments or conducting interviews in the immediate future.”
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