Refusing to advocate against South Korea / vs. Korea's national anthem → Iran's women's team allows dramatic asylum... 'Trump is pressuring U.S. President'

*This content was translated by AI.

The Australian government has granted asylum to five Iranian women's national soccer team players who participated in the Asian Cup in the country and are on the verge of returning home due to the outbreak of war in their home countries. The decision came after intense pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.

"The Australian government granted asylum to five Iranian women's national soccer team players who felt lost and threatened to their personal safety after the war began in their home country during the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup," global media AP reported on the 10th (Korea time).

According to reports, Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke told reporters in Brisbane, "The Australian Federal Police have moved five players who were staying in accommodation on the Gold Coast to a safe place. We have finally completed the process of issuing humanitarian visas for them," he said.

In addition, Burke released photos of Iranian women's national team players smiling and clapping on personal social networking services (SNS), saying, "It's hard to imagine how difficult a decision it must have been for individuals," adding, "The scene was filled with joy and relief." They were very excited to start a new life in Australia," he said.

The decisive trigger for the defection was the opening match of the Women's Asian Cup between South Korea and Iran last week. At the time, Iranian players did not sing along and remained silent when the Iranian national anthem was played before the game, and this scene was also interpreted as an anti-government resistance or condolence in Australia.

Combining reports from "AP News" and the previous "BBC," conservative forces and some critics in Iran have defined them as wartime traitors and called for severe punishment when returning home. Some demanded that the Iranian women's team, which refused to sing the national anthem, be executed by firing squad.

Since then, the Iranian national team has changed its attitude, suddenly singing the national anthem and making a show of hands salute in the match against Australia and the Philippines. Regarding this, the prevailing analysis was that it was caused by coercion and intimidation by Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) agents accompanying the team.

As the situation worsened, U.S. President Trump strongly intervened. President Trump put a warning pressure on the Australian government, saying, "It is a terrible humanitarian mistake to forcibly repatriate Iranian players to the extremities, and they are likely to be killed when they return home."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "I had a very positive conversation with President Trump. I explained the steps Australia has taken over the past 48 hours, he said. "Australians are deeply moved by the courageous Iranian women, and they must now be safe here."

Iran's national team arrived in Australia to participate in the Asian Cup before the war in Iran began on the 28th of last month, but was in a desperate situation to return to their home country, where the bombing was pouring out. When other team players greeted fans and enjoyed the festival after the last match against the Philippines on the 8th, Iranian players rushed out of the stadium as if they were concerned about retaliation, and Iranian fans in the stands booed and waved pre-revolutionary flags when the current regime's national anthem came out.

Meanwhile, the Korean women's team won the first match of the Asian Cup against Iran on the 2nd with a 3-0 complete victory thanks to consecutive goals by Choi Yu-ri, Kim Hye-ri and Ko Yu-jin. South Korea then beat the Philippines and tied with Australia to advance to the quarterfinals as No. 1 in the group.

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*This content was translated by AI.