Overview
- Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke said a player who chose to return to Iran informed the Iranian embassy of her teammates’ whereabouts, prompting an immediate move of the six remaining players to a new, secret location.
- Seven members of Iran’s women’s team initially received humanitarian visas in Australia, one later reversed course and went back, and six remain in Australia under protection.
- During a stop in Kuala Lumpur, diaspora activists confronted the traveling delegation as a player claimed on video they would be welcomed “like princesses,” with the Iranian ambassador present and team members closely monitored.
- Human-rights observers warn that athletes may face coercion, including pressure via family in Iran, and note that Iranian sports delegations commonly use security minders known as Harasats to track and control players.
- A new report cites Iran International in alleging a staff member who had previously sought asylum urged players to abandon their Australian claims and return to Iran.