Iran women’s football team travelled back toward home on Wednesday. The squad reached eastern Turkey and moved toward the Iran border. Some of the players had earlier asked for asylum in Australia but later changed their decision.
The team landed in Istanbul on Tuesday evening after a flight from Oman. They then flew to Igdir in eastern Turkey. They arrived there just after midday. Reports said the players wore national team tracksuits as they left the airport and headed for the Gurbulak-Bazargan border crossing.
The squad travelled through Oman and Kuala Lumpur after leaving Australia, where they played in the Women’s Asian Cup. One player spoke earlier at Kuala Lumpur airport. “I am missing my family,” she said.
Last week, seven members of the group had asked for asylum in Australia. They feared trouble back home after they refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match. They were later called traitors in Iran.
But five of those players changed their minds and decided to return. Only two members of the group stayed back in Australia.
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf welcomed the team. He said they were “children of the homeland” and the people would support them. He added that their return showed they did not give in to pressure from those against Iran.
Rights groups raised concerns over the situation. They said Iranian authorities often pressure athletes abroad. They claim families can face threats or loss of property if athletes speak out or stay away.
Iranian officials rejected those claims. They said Australia had tried to pressure the players to remain there.
