After silent protest, Iran team prepares for risky return

Authorities in Australia and football organizations are being asked to help protect Iran’s women’s football team as they prepare to return home after being eliminated from the Asian Cup.

Concern for the team started after the players did not sing or salute the national anthem before their first match against South Korea last week.

After their final match on the Gold Coast on Sunday, hundreds of supporters surrounded the team’s bus and chanted “save our girls.”

Some people fear the players could face punishment in Iran for their actions. One conservative commentator in Iran even called the team “wartime traitors” and demanded strict punishment.

Craig Foster, a former captain of Australia’s men’s national football team and a human rights advocate, said there are serious concerns about the players’ safety.

He told the BBC that teams taking part in FIFA-regulated tournaments should have the right to safety and support if they feel threatened.

In their next two matches—against Australia and the Philippines—the Iranian players did sing and salute the anthem. Some critics believe they may have been forced to do so by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard who were part of the delegation.

Many members of Australia’s Iranian community attended the final match to support the team. During the anthem, some fans booed and displayed the Lion and Sun flag, which was Iran’s national flag before the Islamic Revolution.

Supporters said they were proud of the players for their initial protest.

However, the players had very little interaction with the fans during the match. In one moment, a player receiving medical treatment on the sidelines blew a kiss to the crowd, which received loud cheers.

At the end of the match, the Philippine team stayed to thank their supporters, but the Iranian team quickly left the field.

Some supporters believe the players cannot speak freely because they may be under pressure.

There have also been calls for Australia to offer the players the option to seek asylum if they feel unsafe returning to Iran.

However, it is not clear whether any of the players would want to stay in Australia. Many of them have families and children in Iran, which could make the decision very difficult.

After the match, Iran’s team manager, Marziyeh Jafari, said she wants to return home as soon as possible to be with her family and fellow citizens.

So far, the Australian government has not publicly commented on the situation.