Five Iran women soccer players take asylum in Australia

2026-03-10 - 06:04

An undated and unplaced photo released by Australia's Department of Home Affairs shows Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke (third from right) with five Iranian women football players who applied for asylum after competing in the Women's Asia Cup tournament being played in Australia. Australia has granted asylum to some of Iran's visiting women's football team over fears they faced persecution at home for not singing the national anthem before a match, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Tuesday.