3 more Iran football team members change minds over asylum

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Three more members of the Iranian women's football delegation - who were given humanitarian visas to stay in Australia - have changed their mind and will return home. The trio have been named by human rights activists in the Iranian diaspora as Zahra Soltan Meshkehkar, Mona Hamoudi, and Zahra Sarbali. Concerns grew for the Iranian team after they were silent for the country's anthem in their opening Asian Cup match against South Korea on 2 March - which led to them being branded "war traitors" in Iran.

Posted by REDIAL at 11:33 PM | 4 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Confirming the decisions, Australia's home affairs minister said his government had done everything it could to ensure the women were given the chance to have a safe future in the country.

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They are Iranians, Not Australians.

Their Country was Attacked by more Powerful and Devious Enemies.

Why Would they Stay in Australia?

Their Families and lives are in Iran.

It's Amazing to Me that the Australians thought they would stay.

It's like they think "Safety" is the only human Need or Value.

Dumb.

#1 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-03-15 12:55 PM | Reply

Their Families and lives are in Iran.

Exactly, Iran was probably threatening their families.