Iran’s team pose for a group photo before the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 match between Iran and the Philippines in Gold Coast on March 8, 2026. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
OAN Staff Addie Davis 1:28 PM – Monday, March 9, 2026
Five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team have reportedly applied for asylum in Australia after the team remained silent during the Iranian national anthem at a match at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, held in Australia
Following what was framed as an act of defiance by many media outlets, fears have been raised for the safety of the team on returning to Iran as state media has branded the team as “wartime traitors.”
“In times of war, traitors must be dealt with more harshly. Anyone who takes even a single step against the country during wartime must face stronger consequences,” Iranian state television presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi stated. “Take this issue of not singing the national anthem in our women’s football team and that photo that was published. This is no longer some symbolic protest or demonstration. In wartime conditions, going there and refusing to sing the national anthem is the height of shamelessness and betrayal.”
“Both the people and the authorities should treat them as traitors in a time of war, not as individuals staging some kind of symbolic protest,” he continued. “The disgrace of this shameless betrayal should remain on their shoulders, and they must be properly dealt with so that others take a warning from it.”
The team hasn’t clarified their actions, with some viewing their silence as an act of defiance and others as an act of mourning, the Associated Press reported.
At least seven team members left the team hotel, five of whom have reportedly applied for asylum, while the whereabouts of the others remain unknown, according to CNN. Sources told The Athletic that Australian authorities assisted the players in leaving the hotel, Time reported.
On Monday, President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social, saying he has spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regarding the Iranian women’s soccer team.
I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way. Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) March 9, 2026
“Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way,” Trump said about the team.
“Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return,” he continued.
This follows an earlier Monday post by the president urging Australia to grant asylum to the players.
Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t. Thank you for your attention…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) March 9, 2026
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed,” he said, adding, “The U.S. will take them if you won’t.”
Reza Pahlavi, son of the ousted Iranian shah, also urged the Australian government to provide support to the players.
“As a result of their brave act of civil disobedience in refusing to sing the current regime’s national anthem, they face dire consequences should they return to Iran. I call on the Australian government to ensure their safety and give them any and all needed support,” he posted to X on Sunday.
The members of the Iranian Women’s National Football Team are under significant pressure and ongoing threat from the Islamic Republic. As a result of their brave act of civil disobedience in refusing to sing the current regime’s national anthem, they face dire consequences should…
An online petition started by the Australian Iranian Council urges Australian officials to ensure the players’ safety and prevent their departure “while credible fears for their safety remain.” As of Monday, it had garnered 74,000 signatures.
Following their defeat and elimination from the Cup on Sunday, Iranian fans were filmed chanting “Save our girls” and tried to prevent the coach from leaving the stadium.
Australia’s national news agency reported that Iran’s head coach, however, said the team wanted to return to Iran during a post-match press conference.
“I want to be with my country and home…We are eager to come back,” she reportedly said.
🚨JUST IN: Shocking footage out of Australia shows the Iranian women’s soccer team, who refused to sing their national anthem on TV, begging for help in sign language as their bus departs, with furious people demanding to know why the Australian government, which typically loves… pic.twitter.com/UDIHlazmFt
Video footage shows crowds chanting “save our girls” as they surrounded the team bus leaving the Sunday match. Human rights advocate and local Iranian community member Hadi Karimi said supporters outside the bus saw at least three players making the international hand signal for help, according to CNN. However, a source close to the team told the outlet they doubt the players know what the sign means.
Multiple outside organizations have reportedly been denied opportunities to speak with the team.
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