Two Iranian footballers who sought asylum in Australia trained with the Brisbane Roar on Monday.
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were among seven members of the Iranian national team given humanitarian visas to stay in Australia after their Women’s Asian Cup campaign concluded.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
They were branded “traitors” at home for refusing to sing the national anthem at their opening game.
Five of those players have since left Australia, however, and are believed to be on their way back to Iran via Malaysia.
Rights groups have accused Tehran of pressuring athletes abroad by threatening relatives or with the seizure of property if they defect or make statements against the Islamic republic.
Iranian authorities have in turn accused Australia of pressuring the players to stay.
Meanwhile, Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh joined the Roar’s women’s A-League squad at their training ground.
“Today, Brisbane Roar officially welcomed both players to the club’s training facilities to take part in training with our A-League Women squad and we remain committed to providing a supportive environment for them whilst they navigate the next stages,” Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta said in a statement on Monday.
The club shared photos of the two players with their usual squad on social media.
While Pasandideh posted on her Instagram story, a picture alongside FIFA’s chief football officer Jill Ellis with the caption: “Everything will be fine”.
The two players are being housed at an undisclosed location and receiving support from the government and the Iranian diaspora community in Australia.
The drama unfolded against a backdrop of war in the Middle East unleashed by US-Israeli air strikes on Iran.
After the news last week that players had been granted asylum, Brisbane Roar released a statement saying they wanted to welcome the Iranian footballers.
More Iranian footballers leave Australia | 01:38
“These are elite footballers — passionate, talented women who love the game just as deeply as we do,” the statement said.
“Brisbane is home to one of the country’s most passionate football communities, and the Roar family has a big heart.
“We’d be honoured to open our doors and offer you a place to train, play, and belong and will begin to explore how to make this happen.
“ No politics. No conditions. Just football, community, and a warm welcome. Queensland is your home now.”
Discussion about this post