Iran women footballers evacuated from safe house after location leak

Seven members of Iran’s visiting women’s football delegation who sought asylum in Australia were evacuated from a safe house on Wednesday after one of the players disclosed their location to the Embassy of Iran in Australia.

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the development, saying the decision to relocate the players was taken immediately after the security breach.

According to him, one member of the group changed her mind after speaking with teammates who had opted to return to Iran instead of seeking asylum.

“As a result of that it meant the Iranian embassy now knew the location of where everybody was,” Burke said, adding that he immediately instructed officials to move the players to another location for their safety.

The seven members of the delegation had earlier sought sanctuary in Australia after they were labelled “traitors” in Iran for refusing to sing the national anthem before a tournament match.

The situation has heightened diplomatic tensions between Australia and Iran, with Tehran accusing Canberra of coercing the players to abandon their country.

However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the players’ courage and said they would be welcomed if they chose to remain in the country.

Five players, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, reportedly slipped away from their team hotel earlier to seek asylum, while two others — a player and a support staff member — were later granted protection before the rest of the team departed Sydney.

It remains unclear which of the seven players disclosed the group’s location.

Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation said the remaining Iranian squad members were staying at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur while arrangements were being made for their onward journey home.

A migration agent who spoke with some of the players said they were under heavy pressure and close monitoring from officials travelling with the team.

Human rights activists have also raised concerns that the players could face serious consequences if they return to Iran.

Exiled Iranian figure Reza Pahlavi urged the Australian government to ensure the safety of the players and provide them with necessary support.