Members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team received a warm welcome in the Islamic Republic upon their arrival after several players sought asylum in Australia. Midfielder Fatemeh Shaban expressed her joy at being back in Iran, emphasizing the country as their homeland.
In Tehran, a crowd greeted the team with waving flags, while players carried bouquets of flowers and signed mini-soccer balls. The team’s return was reported by Iranian media on Wednesday. Shaban, in translated remarks, expressed surprise at the large turnout to welcome them and reiterated her pride in being an Iranian.
Two Iranian players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, opted to stay in Australia and have been training with the Brisbane Roar club. Other players who initially sought asylum following their elimination from the Women’s Asian Cup later decided to return to Iran.
The team had traveled to Australia for the tournament just before the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28. During their first game in the Asian Cup, some players remained silent during Iran’s national anthem, sparking various interpretations of their actions as a form of protest or mourning. The players sang the anthem in the subsequent matches but did not publicly explain their initial silence.
Iran’s first Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, refuted concerns about the players’ safety upon their return, assuring that the country welcomes its citizens with open arms and guarantees their security.