The group was swiftly relocated after an incident where one of the women inadvertently revealed their whereabouts. This occurred when she decided to return to Iran with her companions.

Currently, three Iranian football players remain in Australia, having sought asylum there.

Simon Jackman, a political scientist, highlighted the tactics Iran employs to exert control over its citizens abroad, often pressuring relatives back home.

“Ultimately, it’s about the difficult choices these young women face,” Jackman explained to Today. “Despite the best efforts of our government, these decisions are intensely personal, influenced by what they might hear when they contact their families in Iran.”

“The situation is unimaginable,” he added. “Being in a distant country and under such enormous pressure is incredibly challenging for these young women.”

“You cannot imagine what that must be like for a young woman in a country a long way from home, just immense pressure.”

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