Two Iran Women Soccer Players Begin Training with Brisbane Roar
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh have joined training sessions for Australian club Brisbane Roar following the granting of asylum to them in Australia. While their fellow teammates departed from Malaysia heading toward Oman, these two players chose to remain behind as they started a new life under Queensland jerseys with local squad members on March 17 reports stated that this marks an official beginning after days of uncertainty surrounded by pressure claims and abrupt changes among the seven-member original group who had been traveling together.
Key Points
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1Two Iranian women's soccer players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, have been granted asylum in Australia.
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2The two remaining members of the squad are training with Brisbane Roar while their teammates departed for Oman after days of uncertainty over potential deportation or return to Iran.
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3Iranian diaspora groups blame pressure from Tehran (the Iranian government) and a 'death threat' campaign against women's footballers in Malaysia as reasons why other players chose not to stay.
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4"Thanks for everything" is the sentiment expressed by one of the remaining players, who has begun training with local A-League Women team Brisbane Roar.
Developments
Two Iranian women soccer players were granted asylum in Australia after their team was eliminated from the Women's Asian Cup; they subsequently trained with Brisbane Roar while most teammates departed for Oman. While seven initial applicants accepted humanitarian visas and five declined them to return home, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh remained behind as confirmed by Australian officials who stated their location is undisclosed but that government assistance continues.
Two Iranian women's soccer players granted humanitarian visas and asylum have begun training with Brisbane Roar after deciding not to return following concerns over safety in the wake of recent air strikes against their country. While five teammates chose repatriation, midfielder Fatemeh Pasandideh (21) and defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh joined Australian drills as they start new lives abroad amidst fears from Iranian state media labeling them "wartime traitors."