Australia grants protection to two more Iran women’s team members as asylum case escalates

Australia has granted humanitarian visas to two more members of Iran’s women’s football delegation after they sought protection while in the country for the Women’s Asian Cup.The latest approvals take the number of visa recipients linked to the delegation to seven, in a case that has become politically charged in Tehran and closely watched by football stakeholders.The group includes players and support staff, with decisions taken through private interviews intended to reduce pressure and ensure individuals could choose freely.The visas were processed on an accelerated basis ahead of the delegation’s onward travel, with security checks completed overnight.One of the women later reversed her decision and opted to return to Iran, triggering an urgent relocation of the remaining visa holders after contact was made with the Iranian embassy.Home Affairs minister Tony Burke said: “In Australia, people are able to change their mind, people are able to travel."They want to be clear they are not political activists. They are athletes who want to be safe. I made them the same offer that I made the five players the night before. "If they wanted to receive a humanitarian visa for Australia, which would have a pathway to a permanent visa, I had the paperwork ready and would execute that immediately."Iran’s foreign ministry publicly criticised Australia’s handling of the situation, accusing the government of detaining athletes and urging the delegation to return home, with most departing Australia for Malaysia, while the players and staff granted protection remained in Australia under arrangements designed to manage safety and privacy.The episode adds operational and safeguarding scrutiny to women’s international football, where tournament travel can intersect with state pressure and personal security risks.