Overview
- State media in Iran said captain Zahra Ghanbari has reversed her asylum decision, making her the fifth delegation member to do so since last week.
- Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed earlier that three others had chosen to return, with the Iranian federation naming Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Sarbali and Zahra Meshkehkar among those rejoining the team.
- With the captain’s move, only two of the seven who initially accepted Australian humanitarian visas are now expected to remain in the country under protective arrangements.
- The reversals follow an Asian Cup anthem protest that drew fierce condemnation on Iranian state TV, heightening fears of reprisals that rights groups say can include threats to relatives and property.
- Australian authorities granted temporary humanitarian visas, interviewed players independently, and used police safe houses, with some returnees routed through Kuala Lumpur to rejoin the squad before flying to Tehran.