In a dramatic turn of events, protestors in Australia have targeted a tour bus carrying Iranian female soccer players, intensifying demands for governmental intervention to ensure the athletes’ safety. The incident unfolded on Sunday night as the bus departed from a stadium on the Gold Coast, surrounded by approximately 50 demonstrators.

The protestors, some waving the Iranian Lion and Sun flag, sought to raise awareness about the plight of the soccer players. This flag, a symbol of resistance against Iran’s current regime, harkens back to a time before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Its appearance in protests often signifies opposition to the Iranian government.

Following a 2-0 defeat against the Philippines, the Iranian women’s team faces the daunting prospect of returning to their home country. This loss marks the end of their journey in the Women’s Asian Cup, a tournament already steeped in controversy after the team chose not to sing the Iranian national anthem during a game on Monday.

Concerns for the players’ safety have mounted, leading to a strong statement from Foreign Minister Penny Wong. She affirmed that Australia “stands in solidarity” with the team, amidst fears that the women could face imprisonment or even worse repercussions upon returning to Iran.

The defeat ends their Women’s Asian Cup campaign, which was marked by controversy after they refused to sing the Iranian national anthem on Monday.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong declared Australia “stands in solidarity” with the Iranian women’s soccer team amid fears the women could be jailed or killed if they return to their country.

Thousands of Australians are urging the Albanese Government to act to protect the Lionesses players as they played their last game on the Gold Coast.

The women’s team saluted and mouthed the Iranian national anthem ahead of Saturday night’s match after an international furore over their failure to do so in an earlier match.

In a petition on Change.org, there are calls for urgent protection for the women who face an “impossible situation” – return to a war zone where they have been accused of being “traitors” or risk danger for their families at home if they stay.

“These concerns are immediate and serious. In their opening match, members of the team reportedly remained silent during the Iranian national anthem,’’ the petition states.

“Credible reporting has also raised concerns that regime-connected personnel are embedded with the delegation, that players are not allowed to move freely, and that their communications are restricted.”

The petition asks Australia to ensure that any player wishing to seek protection can do so safely, privately, and without interference from regime-associated officials or handlers.

“Australia is hosting this tournament. That carries not only logistical responsibilities, but moral ones,’’ the signatories warn.

“This is a moment for principled leadership. These players should not be let to go back into danger because they displayed conscience, dignity, or fear in public view.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the ABC’s Insiders she “stood in solidarity” with the men and women of Iran.

“It has been really moving for Australians to see them in Australia and the Matildas swapping jerseys with them was, I think, a very evocative moment. It spoke to solidarity and the way in which sport can bring us together,” she said.

“We know this regime has brutally murdered many of its own people. We know this regime has brutally oppressed many Iranian women and we stand in solidarity with the men and women of Iran, particularly Iranian women and girls.

“I don’t want to get into commentary about the Iranian women’s team.”

Players killed by regime

The team has already lost one national player, Zahra Azadpour, 27, who was gunned down by Islamic Republic forces in January while protesting in Karaj, in north central Iran.

Another, a 23-year-old female football referee Sabha Rashtian, was shot dead while protesting in Isfahan.

Iran International TV sports journalist Raha Pourbakhsh said the women were under duress from the regime while travelling in Australia.

“They have threatened them with their careers being ended and also jail time,” Pourbakhsh told The Sports Ambassador podcast.

“Their phones have been tapped, they forced the players into signing hefty bail agreements assuring the authorities they would not become refugees in Australia, they will not apply for asylum.

“They have also been told that they must sing along to the national anthem and also to show joy and happiness if they score a goal to show that everything is normal.”

Sources close to the team have told international media outlets that seeking asylum in Australia is not an option for most players, with because their families are under threat in Iran.

Clear mandate to act

Iranian-Australian human rights activist Tina Kordostrami told news.com.au that FIFA, the sport’s governing body, had a clear mandate to act.

“The players have visas until the end of March. They don’t have to leave Sunday,’’ she said.

“The regime is clearly controlling these girls. FIFA has a responsibility here. That’s within their own protocols.

“The Australian government needs to find some sort of safe space so they can talk to people. Their phones are tapped.”

Calls to offer women asylum

On Sunday, Opposition frontbencher Julian Leeser said he was concerned that serious threats have been made against the Iranian women’s soccer team.

“Given the serious threats, members of the Iranian team should be offered asylum if they want it,’’ he said.

In August 2021, former Socceroos captain and human rights advocate Craig Foster played a key role in evacuating over 75 Afghan women soccer players, athletes, and their families from Kabul following the Taliban takeover.

In that instance, Australia organised visas and safe passage for the team.

“Everyone is aware of the situation,” Mr Foster told news.com.au.

“The safety of every team member and their families is the most important thing. So everyone understands the sensitivity.”

Why they didn’t sing national anthem

The Iranian women’s national football team, nicknamed the Lionesses, sparked international headlines when they did not sing the national anthem ahead of their match against South Korea on the Gold Coast on Monday.

The incident was interpreted as a silent protest against the Islamic Republic regime amid reports the women’s phones are tapped and their families under threat if they claim asylum in Australia.

But by Thursday night, they sang and saluted under orders from the regime at their second group stage match against hosts the Matildas.

Kordostrami said that a threat made on state-controlled TV in their homeland was alarming and frightening for the young women.

“Technically, the AFP is able to stop someone forcefully being removed from Australia. If the girls say they don’t want to leave the government can step in,’’ she said.

“FIFA has to intervene right now. We need to break through to them.”

‘War traitors’ threat

The Lionesses are understood to have been told the plan is to fly them to Turkey before sending them back into Iran on buses, as bombs rain down on Tehran.

But the immediate threat is not just the war, but also to their families left behind.

Concerns for the young women escalated after state-controlled Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting broadcast a clip of presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi calling out the players in response to their silence during the anthem on Monday.

“In times of war, traitors must be dealt with more harshly. Anyone who takes even a single step against the country during wartime must face stronger consequences,” he said.

No preferential treatment

Earlier, Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said Australia had no plans to offer athletes “preferential treatment”.

“They must meet all of the conditions for the visa and that includes a security check and a health check,” he said on Sunday.

“So, there’ll be no special circumstances granted to anyone that’s competing in the Asian Women’s Cup.

“The normal rules that apply to visa grants in Australia, including those important security checks, will apply.”

Originally published as â€˜Impossible situation’: Iranian women’s team sing anthem amid fears of jail, death after final game