Five Iran women’s footballers leave Gold Coast camp to seek asylum in Australia
Mar 9th 2026
Five members of Iran’s women’s national team who refused to sing the national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup have left their Gold Coast accommodation and intend to seek asylum in Australia, multiple sources tell the ABC.
- Five players — Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hamoudi — left their accommodation on the Gold Coast and plan to seek asylum in Australia, multiple sources told the ABC.
- The players refused to sing the national anthem before Iran’s opening match with South Korea at the Women’s Asian Cup earlier this month.
- Iranian state television labelled the athletes traitors, prompting fears they could face persecution if they returned to Iran.
- A family member and Iranian Australian activists said the players evaded the team’s handlers and are being protected by police in Queensland.
- Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi posted that the players had sought refuge in Australia and joined a movement, and the ABC has contacted the Australian Federal Police and Department of Home Affairs for comment.