Two Iranian soccer players who stayed in Australia after the Asian Cup said they wanted to rebuild their lives in a “safe” place.
Published April 17, 2026
Iranian female soccer players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh have thanked the Australian government for providing them with a “safe haven” and said they hope to resume their sporting careers once they have put their lives back together.
In their first public comments since being granted humanitarian visas, the athletes said in a statement Friday that the compassion and support shown to them gave them hope for a future where they can live and compete safely.
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“We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Australian Government, and in particular Home Secretary Tony Burke, for providing humanitarian protection and safe haven to this beautiful country,” they said.
Australia initially issued humanitarian visas to six Iranian national team players and one support staff member after Australia’s Asia Cup campaign began at the same time as the United States and Israel began airstrikes against Iran.
Five of the group then changed their minds and decided to return home, leaving only Pasandide and Ramezanisade in Australia.
The pair began training with A-League women’s team Brisbane Roar last month.
“At this stage, our main focus is on our safety and health and starting the process of rebuilding our lives,” they said.
“We are elite athletes and it remains our dream to continue our sporting careers here in Australia.”
Concerns over the safety of Iranian players surfaced after several players failed to sing the national anthem during an Asian Cup match, with Iranian state television branding them “wartime traitors.”
The rest of the team arrived in their homeland in Iran via the Turkish border last month after an arduous return journey from Australia.
