Idman.biz
Dramatic events continue regarding the Iranian women's national football team members seeking asylum in Australia. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, in his address to the country's parliament, confirmed that seven members of the team had been granted asylum, but announced that one of them had changed her mind at the last moment.
Idman.Biz reports that the footballer, whose name was not disclosed by the minister, changed her mind about seeking asylum on the advice of her teammates and contacted the Iranian embassy.
According to the minister, this step created a risk for the safety of other players:
"Since the embassy already knew everyone's location, we had to immediately move the other players from safe houses to other locations."
The Iranian side announced that the national footballer who refused asylum was Muhaddiseh Zolfi. It was stated that Muhaddiseh applied for asylum under pressure from the Australian government and some media organizations, and regretted this step after consulting with her teammates.
The events began after the Iranian national team refused to sing the national anthem before the Asian Cup match. Although Iranian state television called the footballers "traitors," the country's Prosecutor General and Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on them to return home.
It should be noted that the national team members arrived in Malaysia today and will return to their country. Their arrival at the airport was marked by tense moments.
