The behind-the-scenes twist of fate that foiled Iranian regime’s plot to get their football team home before Australia could offer asylum

The five Iranian soccer stars who have been granted asylum in Australia almost had their escape plan ruined when the team tried to fly back home on the day they broke free from the team hotel, it has been reported. 

Earlier, five Iranian stars staged a dramatic escape from their handlers on Monday night and were secretly moved by the Australian Federal Police to a safe location. 

They were then granted humanitarian visas by the Federal Government after being cleared by the head of Australia’s ASIO security organisation.

The women – captain Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hamoudi – fled their accommodation fearing persecution after refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem at the Asian Cup. 

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the group had been moved into protection before their visas were approved.

‘Once that happened … it was made clear that there were five women who wanted to be able to stay in Australia,’ he said.

The players fled fearing punishment in Iran after they refused to sing the national anthem before an Asian Cup match on March 2

Five Iranian players (pictured with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke) were granted humanitarian visas after dramatic escape from handlers during the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia

At least one Iranian player made an SOS hand signal from the team bus after a loss ended their tournament (pictured, protesters surrounding the team bus) 

‘They were moved to a safe location by the Australian Federal Police, and last night, I met with them at that location.

‘I signed off last night for their applications to go onto humanitarian visas, and a little bit after 1:30am this morning, the processing was completed by the department of home affairs.’

On Tuesday morning, respected sport journalist Tracey Holmes reported that the Iranian team tried to fly out of Australia on Monday, just hours before the five players managed to get out of the hotel.

‘I’ve had it confirmed that they tried to fly out of Australia yesterday but could not find flights that would get them into Iran,’ Holmes said on X.

‘Many of them [the remaining players] are wrestling with the decision of whether they accept the offer of the Australian government for humanitarian visas, or whether they go back home because of the pressure that is being exerted on their family members. 

‘They have been warned by an official spokesperson that the pressure on those family members will be sustained until the rest of the team flies home.’

Burke said the rest of the squad remained with their Iranian handlers but stressed that Australia would also assist any other players seeking protection.

‘I say to the other members of the team, the same opportunity is there,’ he said.

Remaining Iranian players are still with team handlers as Australia says protection remains available for anyone seeking help

US President Donald Trump intervened, urging Australia to grant asylum during late-night phone talks with Anthony Albanese

The crisis unfolds as Iran remains locked in a widening war with the United States and Israel across the Middle East

Advocates and supporters have been closely watching the team since their final match of the Asian Cup on Sunday night, when one of the players appeared to signal distress from the team bus.

Leaving the stadium after the game, at least one footballer appeared to make the international SOS hand signal through the window, raising an open palm, crossing the thumb over it and folding the fingers over the top.

The moment triggered alarm among activists and supporters who feared the players could face punishment if forced to return home.

Chaotic scenes followed outside the stadium when protesters surrounded the team bus, chanting for the players to be allowed to stay in Australia.

Footage showed demonstrators banging on the vehicle while some of the footballers inside filmed the crowd through the windows.

The situation quickly escalated into an international diplomatic issue after US President Donald Trump intervened publicly, urging Australia to provide asylum to the players.

‘He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

‘Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return.’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later confirmed he had spoken with Trump about the issue, describing the conversation as constructive.

The controversy began after Iran’s players refused to sing the national anthem before one of their Asian Cup matches, an act widely interpreted as a protest against the Islamic Republic.

Iranian state media figures had branded the team ‘wartime traitors’ following the boycott.

Authorities in Australia have not confirmed whether the newly missing players are seeking asylum or whether they have been located.

The anthem incident on the Gold Coast isn’t the first time an Iranian national team has staged a protest about the regime that runs the country.

At the 2022 men’s World Cup, the players did not sing the national anthem or celebrate the two goals they scored in their opening match against England.

The team’s actions came as a women’s protest movement against the regime was met by a brutal crackdown by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Last month it was reported that two Iranian women’s players had pulled out of the team shortly before the Asian Cup, as another protest movement was being put down in their country.

One of them, defender Kousar Kamali, wrote on social media: ‘When the heart is wounded and the soul is tired, football is no longer a refuge. I can’t pretend everything is normal.

‘This decision is not out of anger, it is out of awareness. It is not out of disrespect, it is out of respect for my conscience.’