Iranian women footballers speak out on national anthem protest after claiming asylum in Australia

Two members of the Iranian women’s football team who claimed asylum in Australia have confirmed that their refusal to sing the national anthem during the Women’s Asian Cup in March was a protest against Tehran . In their first media interview since abandoning their team to become refugees, Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, discussed their decision on Australia’s "60 Minutes" current affairs programme on Sunday. "We just wanted to stand with our people. I was scared at times, but I just tried to do what was right and say that no one should be killed just for protesting," Ramezanisadeh told Nine Network through an interpreter. The squad faced intense criticism in Iran, where domestic media branded them traitors for remaining silent ahead of their opening match defeat to South Korea on 2 March. At the time, the act was viewed by some as resistance and by others as a gesture of mourning following US and Israeli attacks on Iran that began on 28 February. The team offered no public explanation at the venue. The silence prompted demonstrators to demand that the players be granted asylum in Australia before the squad left Sydney on 10 March. The two Iranian footballers claimed asylum in Australia after the Women’s Asian Cup Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh explained that they were protesting against Tehran’s violent crackdown on nationwide demonstrations opposing Iran’s theocratic government. Ramezanisadeh said her silence "could have meant any form of torture" for her. "But at that moment, the only thing that gave me peace and a clear conscience was not singing it. I wanted to sing the anthem with pride and from my heart. But because of the situation in Iran, I really couldn’t do it," she said. Pasandideh said through an interpreter: "My people put their lives on the line and they were killed. Doing that was the absolute least we could do for them." Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke confirmed that no members of the squad had been offered asylum at the time of the match. "At that point, they had absolutely no information from us about the possibility of being able to stay," Burke said. "The silence of itself was deeply significant," he said. "The reaction was the volcanic moment." The situation escalated when US president Donald Trump posted on social media calling for the squad to receive protection, later telephoning Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regarding the issue. Albanese informed Trump that four players and a manager had accepted humanitarian visas. While seven team members initially accepted Australia’s offer of asylum, all ultimately withdrew their applications except Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh. Both now play for the Wynnum Wolves semi-professional team in Brisbane and were granted Australian citizenship in August. Ramezanisadeh noted that her parents had urged her to return following instructions from Iranian officials. "They tried to reassure me, saying: ‘Nothing will happen to you. This is your home. You must return home.’ But I told them my mind was made up and I was not coming back," Ramezanisadeh said. It has been confirmed the protest was against Tehran (AFP/Getty) "Thinking that I might never be able to see my family again was heartbreaking, but I couldn’t allow myself to be indifferent while so many young people were being killed by this regime. I couldn’t stay silent, even though I miss my family so much," she added. Both women stated they have had no contact with their families in recent months, though they understand their relatives have not faced punishment. Pasandideh said she intentionally avoided asking her teammates whether their return to Iran was voluntary or coerced. "We decided not to talk because I don’t want to put their lives in danger," Pasandideh said. "One of my biggest dreams is to be able to go back to Iran, but in different circumstances when the situation in Iran has changed and the people of Iran are happy and thriving. Then I will go back and see my family," she added.