Five members of Iranian women's football team reportedly seeking to remain in Australia

"Five of the players had slipped their regime minders and were being sheltered by the Australian federal police. Citing sources within the Australian-Iranian community, Nine newspapers reported that the women were receiving support from police. Police have taken them somewhere safe, Hadi Karimi, a Brisbane-based human rights activist, told Nine."

"There were chaotic scenes at the Royal Pines hotel, according to news.com, as minders rushed into the lobby looking for the women. The news.com report said that the Department of Home Affairs had begun processing asylum claims by the women after secret talks with the players, when their 2-0 defeat to the Philippines in Robina on Sunday night meant they were out of the tournament."

"The players had been called traitors for refusing to sing their national anthem before their opening game of the tournament. Speculation had mounted for days that some of the players would try to seek asylum in Australia after reports emerged of the backlash they faced for their protest."

Five members of Iran's women's football team evaded their regime minders and sought police protection in Australia after the team's elimination from the Women's Asian Cup. The players had faced criticism for refusing to sing their national anthem before their opening match. Following their 2-0 defeat to the Philippines, tensions escalated at their hotel on the Gold Coast, where anti-Iranian regime protesters gathered. The players slipped away and were sheltered by Australian federal police while the Department of Home Affairs began processing their asylum claims. The home affairs minister traveled to Queensland to speak with the players, and chaotic scenes ensued as regime minders searched for the women at their hotel.

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