From the New York Post: A member of the Iranian women’s soccer team refused to board a flight in Australia at the last minute Tuesday — making an at-the-wire plea to join a number of her teammates already granted asylum there.
The players who have sought asylum say they are afraid they will be persecuted if they return home amid the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The last-minute rogue player, who hasn’t been named, made her Hail Mary pitch as the remainder of the team boarded a flight at Sydney airport, sources told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
She was not forced to board the flight.
Another player also requested asylum in Australia, bringing the total to 7 players who are refusing to return to Iran, as they fear for their lives after refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem at their first game in Australia.
The rest of the team has reportedly been flown to Malaysia, since flights are not allowed into Iran at this time, due to the war. According to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, Australian officials spoke to the remaining players in a private meeting, where they were given a choice to stay before they boarded that flight.
Burke took action after President Donald Trump called him Monday morning and intervened in the situation, saying if Australia wouldn’t give the girls asylum, the United States would.
Burke shared photos on Monday, of the original 5 Iranian players who requested asylum. The other two have not yet been identified.
“Last night I was able to tell five women from the Iranian Women’s Soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, to be safe and have a home here,” he wrote.
Last night I was able to tell five women from the Iranian Women’s Soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, to be safe and have a home here. pic.twitter.com/2JQp9q9Z8W
— Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) March 9, 2026
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