Iranian Footballers' Asylum Bid Sparks Controversy

From the streets of Adelaide to the world, this is Adelaide News Today.

Adelaide-based journalist Samira Sharmardi, the first Iranian woman to cover a World Cup in Russia back in 2018, has been in touch with.

Iran's Women's National Football Team during their recent Asian Cup matches in Australia.

Controversy erupted when five players, including Captain Zara Gambari, broke away from the team and Sadassalam after their opening game against.

South Korea on the Gold Coast.

In that first match, the players skipped singing Iran's national anthem, sparking threats from state media back home.

For later games against Australia and the Philippines, they were forced into military salutes and loud anthem singing.

Sharmardi says the remaining players faced intense pressure, with phones confiscated and family threats issued to keep them in line.

Iranian expatriates rallied outside the team's hotel, urging players to stay, and even blocked buses at the Gold Coast Airport.

A photo of the five Asylum Seekers smiling hijab pre, with Australia's home affairs minister, Tony Burke, inspired others.

Two logistic staff members, Mata Zazalfi and Zara Meshkinkar, also separated and stayed behind.

The team rushed to Sydney, then Kuala Lumpur, dodging more protests at airports, where supporters pleaded with players like Gonush, Khosravi, and Asene Chatternor, to defect.

Those two ultimately returned to Iran with the group after two weeks in a Kuala Lumpur hotel, citing family ties.

Iranian officials called the Asylum bids a hostage plot by Australia and threaten non-participation in future events there.

Meanwhile, top Australian leaders and billionaire Clive Palmer pledged support for the seven who stayed, offering aid to start new lives.

Sharmardi believes threats won't sway them, amid ongoing protests for change in Iran.

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