Three Iranian women footballers reverse asylum bid in Australia and return home
Following their participation as humanitarian visa holders, three members of the Iran national team have withdrawn their applications for permanent residency to leave Australian authorities' protection system permanently; this decision leaves only one additional player from an initial group who has chosen not to seek asylum in Australia after being granted temporary status days ago by immigration officials.
Key Points
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1A fifth member of the Iranian women's soccer team has withdrawn her asylum application and decided to return home.
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2Three additional members previously granted humanitarian visas by Australia have also opted to leave after being offered repatriation options or facing pressure from their government, leaving only three players remaining in exile for now. (Note: Some sources state 3 withdrew together; others say a technical staff member plus more later).
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3The Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke confirmed that several team members have chosen not to remain on humanitarian visas and are returning Iran.
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4This development follows the Iranian women's football squad competing in Australia for their Women's Asian Cup tournament, where six players initially claimed asylum.
Developments
A fifth member, including a player handler and three other athletes who had sought asylum overnight withdrew their claims while en route from Australia back to Tehran for an upcoming tournament with reassembled teammates in Kuala Lumpur; Australian officials confirmed they granted humanitarian visas last week but stated there was no evidence supporting local diaspora allegations that the staff passed threats.