Overview
- Players who reversed their bids crossed from Turkey into Iran on March 18 after traveling via Kuala Lumpur, Oman, Istanbul and the eastern city of Igdir.
- Australia had granted humanitarian visas to six players and one staffer, moved them to protected locations, and approved the visas under Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
- Brisbane Roar confirmed Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh trained with the club and may continue to do so, though there is no formal playing agreement.
- Iranian officials publicly welcomed the returnees, with parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praising them as they were greeted at the Bazargan crossing and promised ceremonies in Tehran.
- Rights groups say families were pressured to influence players’ decisions, a claim Tehran rejects as it accuses Australia of trying to induce defections; the episode followed the squad’s initial silence during the anthem and subsequent state-media condemnation.