Decision follows communication with squad members
Sydney: An Iranian women’s football team member who initially sought asylum in Australia has withdrawn her request after speaking with teammates, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Wednesday.
The player was among seven members of Iran’s visiting women’s football delegation who had sought sanctuary in Australia after facing backlash at home over a pre-match protest. Iranian authorities and some public voices reportedly labelled the athletes “traitors” following the demonstration.
Earlier this week, one player and a member of the support staff applied for asylum before the team departed Sydney for Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening. Their move came after five other athletes from the squad had already sought protection in Australia.
However, Burke told parliament that one of the individuals later reconsidered her decision after communicating with teammates who had already left the country.
According to the minister, the player was encouraged by those teammates to contact the Iranian embassy, which subsequently became aware of the group’s location.
Authorities relocate remaining asylum seekers
Meanwhile, Australian authorities relocated the remaining individuals who requested asylum from their initial safe house to another undisclosed location for security reasons.
Officials took precautionary steps while processing the claims. Burke said authorities separated each player from the team at Sydney Airport and allowed them time to consider their options privately.
Importantly, he stressed that officials ensured the decision of the player who reversed her asylum request remained entirely voluntary.
At the same time, the rest of the travelling squad continued their journey and arrived in Malaysia early Wednesday morning. Photographs captured by AFP showed the team landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Officials had earlier expressed concern that male minders accompanying the delegation might attempt to discourage additional players from seeking asylum.
