Three more Iranian female footballers changed their minds about seeking asylum in Australia
The Iranian news agency reported that they are "returning to the warm embrace of their families and homeland."
Photo: Tasnim
Three more members of the Iranian women's national football team, who had accepted refugee visas to stay in Australia, decided to return home, writes ESPN.
After their departure, three team members remain in Australia.
"Overnight, three members of the Iranian women's football team decided to join the rest of the team on their journey back to Iran," said Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in a statement.
"After the players informed Australian officials of their decision, they were repeatedly given the opportunity to discuss options for further action," Burke added.
The incident with the Iranian team happened in Australia at the Women's Asian Cup after the start of the war in the Middle East.
Five female footballers refused to sing the national anthem before the match against South Korea.
In Iran, one of the match commentators accused the team of being wartime traitors and demanded severe punishment.
Initially, six players and one technical staff member from the 26-person squad accepted humanitarian visas to stay in Australia. The rest of the team flew from Sydney to Malaysia on March 9.
Another female footballer later changed her mind and left Australia.
Now three more have flown from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). The rest of the team has been in Kuala Lumpur since their departure from Australia.
The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that the last three to leave Australia were two players and a technical staff member. These three "are returning to the warm embrace of their families and homeland," the statement said.
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