LATEST @ 6.30 AM | The Federal Government has confirmed members of Iran’s soccer team are welcome to remain in Australia, declaring they “have the right to feel safe”.
Five members of the side fled their Gold Coast base overnight and are currently being cared for by the Australian Federal Police.
It comes after the group received death threats and feared they would be executed if they returned home after some refused to sing the national anthem during an Asian Cup game at Cbus Stadium.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke called an early morning press conference, where he confirmed he has signed off on humanitarian visas for the group.
“Last night, I was able to tell five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, that they are safe here, and they should feel at home here,” he said.
“We didn’t know whether any would seek assistance. In the very early hours of yesterday morning, the conversation started in earnest.
“Once that happened during the course of yesterday, it was made clear that there were five women who wanted to be able to stay in Australia.”
Burke said the offer remains open to the remaining members of the team, however, several are expected to return home due to fears for their families.
“Not everyone on the team will make a decision to take up the opportunity that Australia would offer them. What matters here is that they have the best agency they can cover those decisions,” he said.
Canberra also moved to make it clear that these women are athletes and not political activists.
“They’re athletes who want to be safe and are very grateful that Australia is taking that opportunity,” Burke said.
The Prime Minister is expected to front the media to address the development this hour.
EARLIER @ 4.45 AM | Five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team are in the care of Australian Federal Police after fleeing handlers on the Gold Coast.
It comes after US President Donald Trump weighed in on the saga overnight, urging Australia to grant them asylum.
The group made their escape over fears about their safety if they returned to Iran.
The concerns follow the side’s refusal to salute and sing the Iranian national anthem ahead of their Asian Cup clash against South Korea earlier this month.
The players are understood to have been taken to a safe house and are now expected to formally seek asylum.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is expected to front the media later today to discuss the matter. It’s expected the Department of Home Affairs will grant the women bridging visas to allow them to remain in Australia while their asylum applications are processed.
Meantime, Donald Trump has intervened overnight following news of the players’ escape.
Upon hearing the news, the US President took to social media to call on Australia to grant them asylum.
He later spoke to Anthony Albanese, before the President again posted on social media that the Prime Minister was “on it”.
“Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way. Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families,” the President wrote on Truth Social.
“In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do (sic) with this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia!”
